Lahore (PR): HN Polo secured a spot in the main final of the Deepal 96 Punjab Cup after defeating Olympia/AZB 5-2 on the fourth day of the tournament, organized by Lahore Polo Club. A large crowd of families and spectators gathered at the club to celebrate a special day while enjoying the thrilling polo action. Among the distinguished attendees were Lahore Polo Club President Malik Azam Hayat Noon, executive committee members, club members, polo players and their families. In an exciting contest, HN Polo outclassed Olympia/AZB 5-2, with Hamza Mawaz Khan leading the charge, scoring four goals, while Ramiro Zavaleta added one to the tally. For Olympia/AZB, Luis Manuel Aguirre netted two goals, and Ahmed Zubair Butt contributed one. HN Polo started the match on a strong note, capitalizing on a 30-yard penalty to take an early 1-0 lead. The second chukker saw an intense battle between both sides, with each team finding the net once, allowing HN Polo to maintain a narrow 2-1 advantage. The momentum firmly shifted in HN Polo’s favor during the third chukker as they struck two consecutive goals, extending their lead to a commanding 4-1. However, Olympia/AZB responded with a crucial goal to keep their hopes alive, reducing the deficit to 4-2 before the third chukker ended. The fourth and final chukker mirrored the second, with both teams adding one goal apiece. HN Polo held their ground to seal a well-earned 5-3 victory, securing their place in the final in dominant fashion. With this victory, HN Polo will now face DS Polo in the final on Sunday (February 16, 2025), while BN, FG, and Olympia/AZB will compete in the subsidiary final. 

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The stage is ready to roll into action Combaxx 7th Asian Taekwondo Open Championships 2025, here at the international sports venue Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex on Friday.This major international event will feature 113 Poomsae athletes from 22 countries, along with 200 international delegates, including athletes, officials, and referees. Additionally, the championship will witness fierce competitions in the Kyorugi category, comprising Junior Division: 110 Participants, and Senior Division: 302 Participants.Participating Nations: Oman (2 Athletes), Iran (15 Athletes), Palestine (7 Athletes), Afghanistan (31 Athletes), Saudi Arabia (29 Athletes), Kazakhstan (6 Athletes), Egypt (11 Athletes), France (5 Athletes), Great Britain (1 Athlete), Morocco (2 Athletes), Kenya (3 Athletes), Mali (2 Athletes), Portugal (1 Athlete), UAE (3 Athletes), Greece (1 Athlete), Jordan (1 Athlete), Andorra (2 Athletes), Canada (1 Athlete), Iraq (1 Athlete), Uzbekistan (5 Athletes), Tajikistan (4 Athletes), Germany (3 Athletes)President, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF), Col (Retd) Waseem Janjua said: "This championship is a remarkable opportunity to showcase Pakistan's hosting capabilities while promoting Taekwondo at both junior and senior levels. With over 400 Kyorugi participants and 113 Poomsae athletes, the event will be a spectacular display of talent and sportsmanship."

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Hosts Lahore overpowered Bahawalpur by 10 wickets in the final of the 7th LCCB Blind Cricket Tournament here at Aleem Dar Cricket Academy Lahore on Friday.Winning the toss, Lahore chose to field first, allowing Bahawalpur to set a big target. The Bahawalpur team showcased their batting prowess, finishing their innings with a competitive total of 254 runs, losing 3 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Moin led the charge for Bahawalpur, with an impressive 161 runs off just 88 balls. He was well-supported by zafer iqbal, who contributed a vital unbeaten 46 runs off 37 balls. Aftab take 1 wicket for Lahore In response, Lahore batting line up rose to the occasion, successfully chasing down the target by scoring 258 runs for the loss wickets in a swift 16.4 overs. Badar Muneer was the star of the innings, delivering a spectacular performance with the bat, scoring 158* runs from 55 balls. He received solid support for sanwal, who added 82* runs off 46 balls. Badar Munir man of the match award.Player of the Tournament:* B1: Muhammed Ayyaz * B2: Moin Ali * B3: Sana Ullah Khan The event was graced by esteemed guests, including Ali Meer, Syed Sultan Shah (President of World Blind Cricket Ltd & Chairman of Pakistan Blind Cricket Council), Arshad Nadeem Olympian gold medallist, CEO Lahore Qalandar Atif Rana, Aleem dar international empire, Rashma Artist from Pakistani film industries and Tabish Hashmi.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) is set to host the Allied Bank National U-20 Men’s Volleyball Championship 2025 from 14th to 18th February 2025 at WAPDA Sports Complex, Ferozepur Road, Chungi Amer Sidhu, Lahore. This prestigious national event will bring together the country’s top young volleyball talent, with teams from all provinces and departmental units participating in the competition.The Allied Bank National U-20 Men’s Volleyball Championship serves as a crucial event in PVF’s ongoing efforts to promote volleyball at the grassroots level, develop young players, and provide them with a platform to showcase their skills on a national stage. The championship is expected to be highly competitive, with teams striving to make their mark in Pakistan’s volleyball circuit.PVF extends its gratitude to Allied Bank for its support as the title sponsor of the event. The championship will serve as an opportunity to foster new volleyball talent and contribute to the long-term growth of the sport in Pakistan.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Pakistan players Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam have been fined for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during their tri-nation series match against South Africa in Karachi on Wednesday.Shaheen was fined 25 per cent of his match fee after he was found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.”The incident occurred in the 28th over of South Africa’s innings, when Shaheen deliberately got in the way of batter Matthew Breetzke as he ran a single, causing an inappropriate physical contact that also resulted in an argument.Saud and substitute fielder Kamran were fined 10 per cent each of their match fee as they celebrated too close to batter Temba Bavuma after he was run out in the 29th over of South Africa’s innings.Saud and Kamran were found to have breached Article 2.5 of the Code, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

Lahore (PR): DS Polo secured a spot in the main final of the Deepal 96 Punjab Cup 2025 continued at the Lahore Polo Club. DS Polo registered a commanding 9-5 victory over Olympia/AZB to earn a place in the main final. Max Charlton starred for DS Polo, smashing six superb goals, while Estanislao Abelenda netted two and Ahmed Ali Tiwana added one goal. For the losing side, Luis Manuel Aguirre thrashed in three goals, and Abdul Rehman Monnoo contributed two. DS Polo got off to a flying start, hammering in three stunning goals in the opening chukker to seize an early 3-0 lead. Olympia/AZB responded strongly in the second chukker, netting two consecutive goals to narrow the gap to 3-2. However, DS Polo quickly regained control, firing in another brace to extend their advantage to 5-2. The third chukker saw a closely contested battle, with both teams matching each other goal for goal, but DS Polo maintained their edge at 7-4. Heading into the decisive fourth and final chukker, DS Polo asserted their dominance once again, adding two more goals while restricting Olympia/AZB to just one. With a resounding 9-5 triumph, DS Polo sealed their place in the main final in emphatic fashion. In the second match of the day, BN Polo edged past FG Polo in a nail-biting encounter, winning it with a narrow margin of 8½-8. Marcos Solari led the charge for BN Polo with six goals, while Tito Ruiz Guinazu and Babar Naseem added one goal each. Raul Laplacette fought hard for FG Polo, smashing in superb seven goals while Nicolas Ruiz Guinazu chipped in with one. The action continues on Friday (February 14, 2025), with HN Polo facing Olympia at 3:00 pm. Among the spectators were Deepal 96’s National Sales Manager Ahmed Kamal, Assistant General Manager Agha Moosa, Zonal Manager Daniyal Shaheen, Faisal Afridi, Lahore Polo Club President Malik Azam Hayat Noon, along with executive committee members and other distinguished guests. 

Islamabad (Sports Desk): England Men have called up Somerset batter Tom Banton as cover for the third ODI against India in Ahmedabad, which starts on Wednesday.Warwickshire batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell, who featured in the first ODI defeat in Nagpur, has sustained a left hamstring injury. The injury will be assessed further when the team arrive in Ahmedabad on Monday.Banton, who last played for England in an ODI in August 2020, has been in outstanding form in T20 franchise cricket. He is currently the leading run-scorer in the UAE ILT20 competition, where he has amassed 493 runs from 11 innings at an average of 54.77, including two centuries. He is set to arrive in India tomorrow (Monday).

LAHORE (PR): FG Polo clinched the 5th Jinnah Gold Cup 2025 trophy after defeating HN Polo 8-5 in the grand finale.A large crowd, including families and polo enthusiasts, gathered at Jinnah Polo Fields to witness the first high-goal season final. Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman was the chief guest, while former players, including Club Secretary Maj (R) Ali Taimoor, were also in attendance. The final featured an exhibition of vintage cars and an exciting tent pegging display, adding to the event’s grandeur. FG Polo dominated the match, with Raul Laplacette scoring four goals, while Mian Abbas Mukhtar and Raja Mikael Sami added one goal each. For HN Polo, Haider Naseem netted three goals, and Hamza Mawaz Khan contributed two. The match kicked off at a blistering pace, with both teams showcasing exceptional polo skills and tactics. The intense battle saw each side convert two goals in the opening chukker, ending it in a 2-2 deadlock. HN Polo seized the early momentum in the second chukker, netting a field goal to take a narrow 3-2 lead. However, FG Polo responded in style, staging a strong comeback with a brilliant brace, reclaiming the advantage at 4-3. The third chukker was a masterclass by FG Polo, as they dominated the play, hammering in three consecutive goals to establish a commanding 7-3 lead. Their momentum carried into the fourth and final chukker, where they added yet another goal to extend their lead to 8-3. Despite a spirited late surge, HN Polo managed to fire in two quick goals, narrowing the deficit to 5-8. However, their efforts came too late, as FG Polo held firm to clinch the grand finale with a resounding 8-5 victory. Earlier in the thrilling subsidiary final, DS Polo secured a hard-fought 7-6½ victory over BN/Newage. Lao Abelenda led the charge for DS Polo with a stellar performance, emerging as the top scorer with five fabulous goals, while Ahmed Ali Tiwana contributed two crucial goals. Despite enjoying a half-goal handicap advantage, BN/Newage put up a fierce fight, with Marcos Solari netting impressive five goals, and Tito Ruiz Guinazu adding one to their tally. Raul Laplacette of FG Polo was named player of the final, while the best pony award went to Mian Abbas Mukhtar’s mare.  

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Bank AL Habib’s 14th Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professionals Golf Tournament concluded in grand fashion at the Karachi Golf Club, witnessing stellar performances from some of the finest professional golfers in Pakistan. Ahmed Baig (PAF) displayed remarkable consistency to clinch the Professional Champion Title, shooting 273 (-15) and taking home Rs 937,676. Mohammad Zubair (KGC) finished as runner-up, posting 275 (-13) and securing Rs 602,787.The event, held from February 6 to 9, 2025, brought together top senior, junior, and professional golfers, competing for a substantial prize purse across multiple categories. Mohammad Tariq (ICGC) emerged victorious in the Senior Professionals category, finishing with a total of 140 (-4) over two rounds. Aurangzeb Khan (KGC) closely followed with 141 (-3).In the Junior Professionals division, Syed Ali Noshairwan Naqvi (LGG) secured the title with a total score of 151 (+7), narrowly edging out Rehan Babar (LGG) at 152 (+8). The PRO-AM event saw 27 professionals participating, with Muhammad Zubair’s team winning the top prize of Rs 50,000. Minhaj Maqsood’s team finished as runners-up, while Shahid Javed Khan’s team claimed third place.Kamram Zahoor was the winner in KGC Caddies, Saleem Inayat in KGC Senior Professionals and Abdullah became title holder in KGC Professionals category. Top five golfers according to PGF criteria, were paid appearance money of PKR200,000 each among Mohammad Shabbir (Islamabad Golf Club), Mohammad Alam (Garrison), Mohammad Munir (Rawalpindi), Minhaj Masqood (Rawalpindi), and Mohammad Zubair (Karachi).Simimarly PKR 75,000 each were paid as appearance money to Senior Pros: Mohammad Akram, Nisar Hussain and Mohammad Tariq. PKR 150,000 were equally distributed among junior professionals Rehan Babar, Mohammad Sahil and Shahbaz Ali. Amjad Yousuf from Rawalpindi scored a spectacular Hole-in-One at Blue Hole No. 4, winning a Toyota Altis. Tallat Ijaz achieved second Hole-in-One in the same category and was awarded a Golf Kit.The Chief Guest Governor State Bank of Pakistan, Jamil Ahmed said that Bank AL Habib’s Rashid D. Habib Memorial Tournament remains a landmark in Pakistan’s golf calendar, honoring the legacy of the late Rashid D. Habib. The Chief Guest presented mementos and awards to the winners.

Fakhar Zaman travelled to the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 without a single ODI appearance to his name. By the time he returned to Pakistan as a match-winner in the final, people were travelling hundreds of kilometres just to take a picture with him.The left-handed opening batter will make his return to the Pakistan team on home soil when the competition returns later this month, looking to recreate the heroics of eight years ago. In that tournament, he started out of the team, earned a one-day debut and went onto form the foundation of a final victory over India in one of the greatest days in Pakistani cricketing history. Even so, he was taken aback by the response when he landed back home.“It was special back in Pakistan,” he recalled. “I didn’t expect anything like that and I have never seen anything like that in my whole life. People were waiting for us. I was alone on the Peshawar flight, most of the guys were flying to Lahore or Karachi. There were thousands of people waiting at the airport. It took three to four hours to get out of the airport.“Then there were people waiting on the streets and on the roads. When I got to my hometown, the whole street was full of people. In our villages, we have a guest house and the whole guest house was full of people.“For many weeks, people from 500km or more away would come to take a picture. It was unbelievable and it was something special. The way we made people feel at that time, I wish I could do more things like that.”Fakhar did not feature in the first meeting between Pakistan and India, which India won by 124 runs, but was handed a debut in the second encounter against South Africa.He scored 31 off just 23 in that game as Pakistan stayed alive in the tournament with a 19-run victory at Edgbaston, a knock that is still right up there among his favourite in the format.He said: “In my head, I thought I would go and play positive cricket in that game and if something went wrong, then I would see for the next game against Sri Lanka if I changed. I scored 31 runs and it is still one of my favourite innings in my ODI career.“I didn’t feel that much pressure in the South Africa game. I felt more pressure in the Sri Lanka game. The first one was my first game and I wasn’t aware of what to expect. There were so many things going through my head, but I didn’t feel that much pressure.“There was more pressure game by game as we progressed.”While Fakhar went into the tournament with limited expectations, the Pakistan management and senior players never lacked confidence.And after they beat Sri Lanka by three wickets to reach the semi-finals, that belief started to filter through to the rest of the team that they were capable of going all the way.“Myself and Sarfaraz (Ahmed, the captain) played club cricket together in Karachi. We had a big tournament happening in Karachi just after the group stages. After the first game against India, I went to Sarfaraz and said ‘we will be playing in Pakistan’ and he said ‘what are you saying?’. He said ‘bro, we will go to Pakistan, but with the Champions Trophy’.“I was thinking looking at this man, he’s lost his senses, what is he saying? But the confidence of our leadership, Sarfaraz and Mickey Arthur, I didn’t think we would win but they would tell us every time that we would win, that we had to win.“The confidence in the leadership group, even after losing the first game, they were 100% confident that we would bring home the trophy. When we played Sri Lanka, the way luck was with us that day, Sri Lankan players dropped catches, and the way Sarfaraz played in that game, we knew that something great was coming.”Up against hosts England in the semi-finals, Pakistan’s bowlers were outstanding in Cardiff, shutting down the previously unstoppable English batters to set up an eight-wicket victory.That set up a final clash with India, the dream match-up for fans, but a meeting that Fakhar almost missed.“I was not well the day before the game,” he said. “I even talked to Mickey and said I won’t be able to play the game. He said you go out there and get a duck first ball, it doesn’t matter, you have to play that game. I managed to play but I remember that I didn’t sleep well that night and he forced me to play. I’m pleased he did!”Pakistan batted first at The Oval, and even though Fakhar did not feel like he was at his most fluent, he smashed a brilliant century, making 114 off 106 balls to set Pakistan on their way to 338 for four in 50 overs.That came after he had been given a reprieve when he was on three, caught off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah, with a no-ball saving him.He said: “I had been talking to Shadab (Khan) and somebody got out on a no-ball when we were watching a game. I said ‘I’d love to get out to a no-ball’. I just said it randomly because whenever you get out, I always look to the umpire hoping they will say ‘wait while we check the no-ball’ and nothing happens and I end up back in the dressing room.“The same thing happened in that game, I got out to a no-ball. Kumar Dharmasena was the third umpire and I was going out. From the boundary, he said ‘wait there’. I was halfway back and when I saw that, I was 100% sure it was a no-ball. After that, I thought maybe it’s my day.”It certainly turned out that way, with Fakhar earning Player of the Match honours as Pakistan ended up winning by 180 runs, Mohammad Amir doing the damage with the ball as he tore through the dangerous Indian top order.That day is one that he will never forget, as he prepares to embark on his second Champions Trophy. And beyond the excitement of the day and the celebrations afterwards, it is the way the team came together in England and Wales that stands out.He concluded: “There are too many memories. The best memory for me was the way the team gelled, to become friends with Shadab, Faheem (Ashraf), Hasan Ali, we became really close.” (PR).