Sports ReportISLAMABAD: Shifa International Hospitals Islamabad beat 5 Pillars Cricket Club Rawalpindi by 7 wickets in the friendly T-20 Cricket match here at Ghouri Cricket Ground Islamabad.Shifa International Captain won the toss and invited to bat first 5 Pillars, 5 Pillars hit up 125 for loss of nine wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Waseem (20), Sohiab (17) and Abdul Wahdi (16) were the key contributors. Shifa International Syed Mudassar Bukhari (2 for 12), Imtiaz Alam (2 for15) and Tahir Akhtar (2 for 36) were the other main wicket-takers. In reply, Shifa International achieved the target in the 17th over for the loss of three wickets. Tahir Akhtar and Captain Qutab Uddin Qureshi contributed 93 runs in 3rd wicket partnership. Allrounder Tahir Akhtar 44 not out runs 42 balls with 8 Fours, Master Blaster Captain 43 runs 41 balls with 8 fours, while Khateeb 12 not out and Imtiaz Alam 10 were their leading run-getters. 

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Army's Saddamul Haq and Sindh's Naveed-ur-Rehman have qualified for the final of the third Image Torsum Khan All Pakistan Squash Championship. Also, WAPDA's Mehwish Ali and Sindh's Mahnoor Ali made it to the finals of the girls’ category.In the men's semi-final, played at the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex, Army's Saddamul Haq outclassed Punjab's Ashar Butt in a one-sided contest with 3-0. In the second semifinal, Sindh's Naveedur Rehman defeated Army's Anas Ali Shah 3-2 after a tough fight.Results (semifinal):Abdullah Zaman beat Rayyan Bahadur (3-0) 11-9, 13-11, 11-6 (27 min)Ahmed Rayyan Khalil beat Abdul Ahad Butt (3-0) 11-9, 11-3, 11-8 (19 min)Women's (semifinals):Mehwish Ali beat Sehrish Ali (3-0) 11-7, 14-12, 11-7 (23 min)Mahnoor Ali beat Anum Aziz (3-0) 11-1, 11-8, 3-11 (21 min).

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The National Open Polo Championship for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup witnessed an enthralling match as Diamond Paints/Master Paints outpaced Olympia/AZB Polo with an 8-5 win on Wednesday at the Lahore Polo Club Ground 1 on Wednesday. Juan Zabiaurre Canal led the charge for Diamond Paints/Master Paints, netting four outstanding goals, while Martin Gandara added three and Mir Huzaifa Ahmed scored one to secure their team's triumph. On the opposing side – Olympia/AZB Polo – Novillo Astrada displayed remarkable prowess on the field scoring four fabulous goals, while Nicolas Corti added to their tally with a skillful goal. The match kicked off with Diamond Paints/Master Paints quickly asserting their dominance, scoring two consecutive goals for an early lead. They continued their offensive push, extending their lead to 3-0. Olympia/AZB Polo managed to respond just before the second chukker concluded, narrowing the gap to 3-1. The teams traded goals in the third chukker, maintaining Diamond Paints/Master Paints' advantage at 5-3. Continuing their superior performance into the fourth chukker, Diamond Paints/Master Paints widened their lead further by scoring two goals against Olympia/AZB Polo's single goal, setting the stage for the final chukker at 7-4. The decisive fifth chukker saw Diamond Paints/Master Paints solidify their victory with an additional goal, despite a late effort from Olympia/AZB Polo, ending the match at 8-5. The match was expertly officiated by field umpires Mark Holmes and Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi, with Santiago Loza serving as the match referee. The event attracted a large crowd, including families eager to witness the gripping action on the second day of the prestigious National Open Polo Championship 2024, supported by Bank Alfalah at the historic Lahore Polo Club. 

Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and Roshn Saudi League (RSL) are pleased to announce a significant partnership, naming ‘Saudi, Welcome to Arabia’ as an official Platinum Sponsor of RSL.The collaboration aims to leverage the league's popularity, which features some of the world's most decorated footballers. It highlights STA and RSL’s commitment to showcasing Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant sporting scene to a global audience.As part of the agreement, STA will work alongside RSL to develop and promote tourism products and experiences that position Saudi Arabia as a leading travel destination, attracting visitors from the broader MENA region and across the world. This sponsorship is expected to bolster connections with Saudi football clubs, setting the stage for future partnerships and collaborations.Abdullah Ibrahim Alhagbani, Chief of Partnerships and Executive Affairs STA said: "Our partnership with RSL represents a significant step forward in our mission to elevate Saudi Arabia as a leading global tourism destination. Together, we will showcase Saudi’s rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions, underpinned by our firm dedication to excellence in the realms of sports and entertainment. This partnership showcases the reputation and growing influence of RSL, both locally and globally, and aims to unify efforts in attracting tourists and promoting Saudi’s unique tourist destinations and international events held throughout the year.”Carlo Nohra, the Chief Operating Officer at the Saudi Pro League, said: “Our partnership with ‘Saudi, Welcome to Arabia’ reflects RSL’s expanding influence and appeal globally. It embodies our mutual commitment to excellence and our dedication to delivering memorable experiences for football fans from around the world. Together, we aim to establish new standards for sports and tourism in the region and showcase the best of Saudi Arabia to the world."The partnership agreement represents a pivotal milestone for RSL, enhancing its international presence and establishing Saudi Arabia as a premier destination for football on the global stage. This collaboration also aligns with RSL's aim to globally expand its fanbase, utilising Saudi Arabia’s renowned attractions and leading position in the tourism sector.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The ITF Pakistan Khawar Hyat Khan Memorial World Junior Championship Leg-1 matches resumed after a day break here at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex Islamabad, as all matches were postponed due to the sudden death of Zainab Ali Naqvi, a junior tennis player from Karachi on Tuesday.Boys’ Singles (Pre-Quarter Finals):Kiagaoge Kang (CHN) beat Howard Chan (HKG) 6-3, 6-2Xiuyuan Guo (CHN) beat Jiwan Park (KOR) 6-3, 6-4Hamza Roman (PAK) beat Ahtesham Humayun (PAK) 6-4, 6-1Dong Hyeon Euom (KOR) beat Hamid Israr Gul (PAK) 7-6 (3), 6-4Ahmed Nael Qureshi (PAK) beat Papangkorn Bunyarit (THA) 6-1, 6-1Zhe Jiang (CHN) beat Kieran Lin (USA) 0-6, 6-4, 6-0Ju Hun Choo (KOR) beat Ilya Kryukov 7-5, 6-0Girls’ Singles (Pre-Quarter Finals):Paramee Tadkaew (THA) beat Sheeza Sajid (PAK) 6-1, 6-0Amna Ali Qayum (PAK) beat Deren Cetinakaya (TUR) 6-1, 6-3Stefaniya Neporent beat Jingke YAN (CHN) 6-3, 6-1Jiaxiaoqi WEN (CHN) w/o Ruslana Ruslanova (KAZ)Boys’ Doubles (Pre-Quarter Finals):Dong Hyeon Euom (KOR) / Jiwan Park (KOR) beat Mohammad Kashan Tariq / Amir Mazari (PAK) 6-1, 6-0Ege Avci (TUR) / Dorukl Elbirlik (TUR) beat Mohammad Hamza Aasim / Mohammad Salar Khan (PAK) 6-3, 6-4Ahtesham Humayun / Mohammad Haider Ali Rizwan (PAK) beat Par Chandragholica (THA) / Kieran Lin (USA) 6-4, 6-2Howard Chan (HKG) / Xiuyuan Guo (CHN) beat Papangkorn (THA) / Narathip Rueangsri (THA) 6-3, 6-1Bilal Asim / Ahmed Nael Qureshi (PAK) beat Daniil Varaksa / Akmal Arabdjanov (UZB) 6-4, 6-1.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): New York Superstar Strikers proudly announce the signing of cricket legend Yuvraj Singh as the captain and icon player for the upcoming Legends Cricket Trophy Season 2, marking a significant milestone in the team's journey towards sporting excellence. Yuvraj's addition enriches the squad with a depth of expertise, skill, and leadership, fortifying New York Superstar Strikers' readiness to lead in the upcoming edition of the tournament The announcement of Yuvraj Singh's leadership role has elevated the excitement surrounding New York Superstar Strikers' participation in the Legends Cricket Trophy Season 2, igniting enthusiasm among fans and cricket enthusiasts worldwide. With a skilled roster comprising Babar Azam, Rashid Khan, Keiron Pollard Imam Ul Haq, Naseem Shah, Matheesha Pathirana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Asif Ali, and Mohammad Amir, New York Strikers not only emerge as formidable contenders but also demonstrate the team's dedication to ongoing improvement and triumph.Sagar Khanna expressing his enthusiasm about Yuvraj joining the team, shares, "We are thrilled to have Yuvraj Singh on board as our captain and icon player. His unparalleled talent and proven leadership will undoubtedly elevate the performance of the team." 

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Afghanistan player Mohammad Nabi has ended Shakib Al Hasan’s long tenure as the number one all-rounder in the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings after smashing a fine century in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.Nabi, who has been the number one T20I all-rounder in the past, moved up to the top position in ODIs after his fighting 136 helped him become the oldest player to top the ICC ODI all-rounders’ table at the age of 39 years and one month. Sri Lanka’s Tillkaratne Dilshan held the previous record at 38 years and eight months when he was number one in June 2015.Shakib had been at the top for 1,739 days (since 7 May 2019), which is the longest unbroken stretch anyone has had at the top of the ODI Rankings. His total reign has been for a record 4,276 days, which equates to more than 11 ½ years. Kapil Dev comes next with 3,816 days which includes two stints of 1,376 and 1,375 days.

Sports Bulletin ReportPESHAWAR: The rising table tennis player, Abdur Rahman Farooq emerged as a prominent figure in table tennis, showcasing his skills, and achievements at various competitions at national levels.Speaking to the media, Farooq expressed his deep passion for table tennis, aspiring to make a name for himself alongside renowned players like Arif Khan, Asim Qureshi, Farjad Saif, and Syed Mohammad Sabtain.Abdur Rahman Farooq has dedicated himself to training under the guidance of coach Mian Absar Ali, as his dedication has been reflected in recent victories, including a silver medal in the table tennis championship on 14th August, gold medals in both the inter-schools and inter-collegiate events, and silver medals in the UAT Expo 2022 Table Tennis and NUST EME Olympiad Tournament. Additionally, Farooq played a crucial role in securing a team event silver at the 28th Junior National Table Tennis Championship 2022, earning praise from provincial association officials, coaches, and senior players.Encouraged by the positive feedback, Abdur Rahman Farooq remains committed, working tirelessly day and night to further enhance his skills. He acknowledges the abundance of talent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with young players stepping forward. However, he emphasizes the necessity of proper coaching for these emerging talents.While Chinese coaches played a significant role in the past, Abdur Rahman Farooq notes the current involvement of local coaches like Absar Ali and Amna Mahmood, who are guiding and training young children, including girls.

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: HBL Pakistan Super League has a rich history of providing platform to the finest young talent the country has to offer. HBL PSL 9 is set to feature an exciting new batch of talented players. From lethal fast bowlers and dexterous spinners to skillful batters, all players will look to prove themselves at the big stage. Mohammad Zeeshan (Peshawar Zalmi):Mohammad Zeeshan is a formidable pace prospect, having shown his promise in the Pakistan U19 team. Aided by his towering height of 6 feet 8 inches, the right-arm fast bowler extracts extra bounce, spelling trouble for the opposition.Zeeshan reflected on his addition to Peshawar Zalmi, saying: “Being picked for Peshawar Zalmi was a big moment for me as HBL PSL is amongst the best leagues in the world. I will be sharing the dressing room with and playing alongside Babar Azam, the best batter in the world, which I am really excited about.“T20 cricket allows limited room for the bowlers as the batters are always looking to charge. I think that’s where variations come into play; you need command over your slower balls, bouncers and yorkers to succeed.”Saad Baig (Karachi Kings):Born and bred in Karachi, Pakistan U19 captain Saad Baig will be representing his home city in the ninth edition of HBL PSL. The wicketkeeper-batter led Pakistan U19 to semi-finals of ICC U19 World Cup 2024. The previous year, he led Pakistan U19 to the semi-finals of ACC U19 Asia Cup.Saad, while talking about getting picked by Karachi Kings, said: “For any youngster, getting to play this league is a dream come true. I consider getting picked by Karachi Kings an achievement for myself so it was a big moment for me.“I will be part of a very experienced dressing room and I will try to improve my game as much as I can. I will ask seniors like Shoaib Malik and Keiron Pollard about their work ethic. They have played a lot of T20 cricket across the world so learning from them would be good for my future as well.”Ubaid Shah (Islamabad United):Right-arm pacer Ubaid Shah will be joining his brothers, Test cricketer Naseem Shah and first-class player Hunain Shah, at Islamabad United to strengthen the franchise’s pace battery. Since his debut for Pakistan U19, the pacer has become an indispensable asset to the side.“When I got to know that Islamabad United had picked me, I could not believe it. It is very important to me that Islamabad United put their trust in me, and I hope to reciprocate their trust by performing to the best of my ability.“It is very exciting that I am in the same team as both my brothers. And it is an honour to play under Shadab [Khan] Bhai’s captaincy. I look forward to learning from him. HBL PSL is big tournament with some very experienced names.”Shamyl Hussain (Islamabad United):Shamyl Hussain, set to represent Islamabad United at HBL PSL 9, is a top-order batter known for impressive strokeplay. The young left-handed batter, an avid fan of Brian Lara, says he has modelled his technique and shots after the West Indies batting legend.Reflecting on his addition to the team, Shamyl said: “I had been following the draft and when I did not get picked in the emerging category, I felt my heart drop so I turned my phone off for a while. When I turned it back on, I saw my coach’s message congratulating me. I could not believe I had been selected. To see my hard work pay off was the best feeling.“My style of play aligns with that of Islamabad United; I like to play attacking cricket and put pressure on the bowlers. I will be surrounded by senior players so my goal is to gain as much experience as I can during the tournament.”Syed Faridoun (Lahore Qalandars):Syed Faridoun is a left-arm wrist spinner who will be representing Lahore Qalandars in HBL PSL 9. As part of their Player Development Program, the franchise had sent Faridoun to represent Melbourne Stars at the Big Bash League in 2021.Although Faridoun was a part of the Qalandars squad back in 2022, he did not get to feature in a game. The young spinner, who is hoping to play his debut game in the upcoming season, said: “I want to fulfill the expectations the team and management have from me, whenever I am given a chance. Top players from around the world come to play in this league and I aspire to compete against them.“Your economy rate matters a lot in T20 cricket, so I always aim to restrict the flow of runs. I have gotten to share the dressing room with Rashid Khan in the past two years so I have learnt a lot from him.”Faisal Akram (Multan Sultans):Faisal Akram, another left-arm wrist spinner, is set to represent Multan Sultans in the ninth edition of the HBL PSL. Faisal was earlier picked by Karachi Kings in 2022, but warmed the bench in the previous two seasons. This year – on the back of a successful domestic season – Faisal is hoping to make his HBL PSL debut.“Multan is my home so it feels great that I have been picked to represent the city. If I get the chance to play, I will give my 100 per cent on the field. I am looking to end the season as the best emerging player of the season.“Multan Sultans have a great team this year. I am especially looking forward to learning from our captain Mohammad Rizwan, and foreign players like Reeza Hendricks and Dawid Malan.”Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (Quetta Gladiators):Khawaja Mohammad Nafay is a right-handed batter who was picked by Quetta Gladiators for the upcoming season of HBL PSL. Nafay already has experience of participating in franchise-based leagues.“My coach was with me when I got the news that I had been picked by Quetta. It made the moment really special because he has worked hard with me. It is a big deal for me, because performing in this league paves way for your selection to the national side.“I am really excited to share space with Jason Roy, Mohammad Amir and Sarfaraz Ahmed. I will have much to learn from these seasoned campaigners.”

Sports Bulletin ReportBusan (Korea): The arrangements have been given final touches, as the eagerly awaited ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Busan 2024 will get underway on February 16, 2024 here at the Busan e-Sports Arena, Korea Republic. The prestigious table tennis event will be concluded on February 25 at the same venueThe defending champions, China, occupy the top-seeded positions in both the men's and women's team events at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Busan 2024. In the Women's Teams draw, China is placed in Group 1 with Hungary, India, Spain, and Uzbekistan. While Hungary has a long history of medalling in the championships, they will be hard-pressed to get past the defending champions. Led by World No.1 Sun Yingsha, Team China is chasing their 23rd title in the event and are frontrunners to top the podium once again.On the Men's Teams front, the world's top two players, Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin will spearhead China's campaign. Their first hurdles back to the podium have been set, with Croatia, Hungary, Belgium and Cuba all fighting for a place in the main draw. Croatia will prove the toughest task for World No.1 China, with the outfit led by Andrej Gacina looking for an upset win to sure up their spot in the knockout rounds.In the Men's Teams, hometown heroes Korea Republic landed in Group 3 with India, Poland, Chile, and New Zealand. The local stars will be eyeing to improve on their bronze medals won at the 2022 edition in Chengdu.Both the Men's and Women's Teams events will see eight groups of five teams looking to advance to the knockout rounds. Each match is decided by best of five singles matches, with individual matches being best of five games. Each group will play a round-robin, meaning each team faces off against the other four teams in their group. After the round-robin is completed, the top three teams from each group advance to the knockout phase. 24 teams advance in total, getting a final shot at the title. Group winners will receive seeded positions, with the rest drawn into the knockout rounds in a way that ensures teams from the same group won't meet again in the first round.