BIPIN DANIThe family of Sri Lanka's batting all-rounder Janith Liyanage has mixed feelings. The 28-year old batting all rounder Liyanage scored unbeaten 101 runs which included two huge sixes, but his effort could not win the match for his team."First of all, this is a moment our family has been waiting for a long time, and my brother scored that century at a very crucial time so it made the century he scored worth a lot and an unforgettable one", the player's younger sister, Sahani Liyanage, speaking exclusively over the phone from Colombo, said. "Me, our parents and my older sister all are proud of our brother’s great knock today and really wish him all the best for his future as well". However, the family was saddened with the result of the match and the series. Sri Lanka lost the 3rd ODI by four wickets and the series 1-2. "It is really unfortunate that we lost the series but I think our team learnt a lot from this series, so even though it was not the result that all of us Sri Lankans wished for, it was still a thrilling series", she added. "It is saddening that we didn’t win the series yet I think every player, including my brother, tried a lot to contribute something for the team, even though it is a bit saddening I still feel happy for my brother’s great knock", she signed off. 

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Islamabad United (IU) and Multan Sultans (MS) set to meet in the final of the HBL PSL edition 9 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Monday. The first ball is expected to be bowled at 9pm, while the toss will take place at 8:30pm.Sultans, who qualified for the final after beating Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier, will be playing their fourth consecutive final. They were crowned champions in the 2021 edition and finished as runners-up in the subsequent two editions wherein Lahore Qalandars clinched two back-to-back titles.After finishing third on the table, United beat Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi in the two eliminators to earn the coveted berth in the final. This will be two-time champions United’s first final since 2018 – when they last won the HBL PSL title.In the lead-up to the playoffs, Multan Sultans secured 14 points after winning seven out of their ten games. United finished with five wins, whereas their home game against Lahore Qalandars was washed out. As a result, United had 11 points, equaling with the fourth-placed Quetta Gladiators.Multan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan are the second and third highest run-getters of the tournament thus far, only behind Peshawar Zalmi’s Babar Azam who ended HBL PSL 9 with 569 runs in 11 innings, including five half-centuries and one century.Rizwan has accumulated 382 runs in as many innings, with four half-centuries. Usman, having appeared in only six games, has made 373 runs on the back of two centuries and a half-century.Colin Munro, with 309 runs from nine games with three fifties, is the highest run-getter for Islamabad United. Islamabad’s skipper Shadab Khan has also starred with the bat and ball alike this season; in 11 games, he has produced 301 runs, including three half-centuries, and taken 11 wickets.Leader of the Sultans’ spin attack, Usama Mir, is the current leading wicket-taker of the tournament, holding the Inverex Fazal Mahmood Cap. He has 23 scalps in 11 games, including one six-wicket haul. His current tally of 23 is the best by any spinner in one edition of HBL PSL and is only two wickets behind Hasan Ali’s record of 25 wickets, the most by any bowler in one edition, which has not been bested since 2019.Sultans’ right-arm pacer Mohammad Ali, playing his maiden HBL PSL tournament, has 18 wickets in 11 games, the most by any pacer in the tournament thus far.Naseem Shah, who made his move to Islamabad United ahead of HBL PSL 9, has the most wickets for his team thus far. Assuming his role as the leader of Islamabad’s bowling attack, the right-arm seamer has grabbed 15 wickets in 10 games.Shadab Khan said: “I’m proud of my team for standing tall in crucial situations and getting through to the final of HBL PSL after a long hiatus of five years. This is what we intended while assembling the squad and all the players have responded very well throughout the group stage as well as the playoffs. Islamabad winning the trophy for the third time will be a great achievement and I’m looking forward to whatever challenge Multan Sultans will pose in the final. Hopefully, our batters and bowlers will step up in a spirited manner as they have done throughout the season and will make us champions.”Mohammad Rizwan said: “I am very proud of the way my team has played in this tournament. Our boys have displayed the true warrior spirit throughout the tournament. Whenever we found ourselves behind the opposition, our players stepped up through their bold and fearless approach.“We have a solid team that has all the bases covered. Our locals, foreigners and emerging players have shone and produced some extraordinary performances. What further helps us is the fact that our team has gelled really well in the last four weeks.”

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) named a 24-man squad for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier Round 2 matches against Jordan, scheduled to be held at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad on 21st March followed by an away game in Jordan on 26 March. The week-long camp scheduled for Lahore will now be relocated to Islamabad today (Sunday). The Diaspora (D) players are set to join the squad in the wee hours of Monday.  Pakistan Squad:Goalkeepers (4): Yousuf Butt (D), Saqib Hanif, Abdul Basit, Hassan AliDefenders (9): Easah Suliman (D), Abdullah Iqbal (D), Mamoon Musa, Haseeb Khan, Mohammad Saddam, Mohammad Sohail, Omer Rao, Mohammad Fazal (D), Mohammad AdeelMidfielders (7): Rahis Nabi (D), Harun Hamid (D), Alamgir Ghazi, Rajab Ali, Ali Uzair, Shayek Dost, Abdul Samad (D)Forwards (4): FareedUllah, Waleed Khan, Imran Kayani (D), Adeel Younis.

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Islamabad United qualified for the final of HBL PSL for the first time since 2018, on the back of a record seventh-wicket partnership between Imad Wasim and Haider Ali, as they beat Peshawar Zalmi by five wickets on Saturday night, at National Bank Stadium, Karachi in Eliminator Two. The final will be played on 18 March at the same venue.Zalmi failed to defend their total of 185-5 as United batters overcame the early hiccup of being 50-4, and secured the berth in the HBL PSL 9 final, completing the target with an over to spare.Islamabad United’s pursuit of the 186-run target met with adversity as Saim, fresh off his batting heroics, struck twice with the new ball; Alex Hales chipped one straight to Mehran Mumtaz at cover while Salman Ali Agha was bamboozled with a fullish carrom ball that rattled his stumps. In the fourth over, Mehran knocked off Shadab Khan’s off-stump to leave United 23-3.Martin Guptill, having lost three partners in the first four overs, teed off in the fifth as he hit Saim for 22 runs on the back of four boundaries and a six. Khurram Shahzad landed another blow for Zalmi on the last ball of the sixth over as he dismissed Guptill for 34 off 21 balls, laced with five boundaries and a solitary six, leaving United in dire straits at 50-4.Azam Khan and Imad Wasim got together to put up a 41-run fifth-wicket partnership injecting stability to United’s innings. Luke Wood destroyed Azam’s (22, 17b, 1x4, 1x6) stumps in the 11th over to leave United reeling with 95 required in nine overs. Haider Ali joined Imad in the middle and the duo took it upon themselves to stage the rescue act. Haider got going with two boundaries against Aamir in the 13th over, while he bludgeoned Arif Yaqoob for a six in 15th over.Aamir’s 18th over, yielding 23, became the nail in the coffin for Zalmi as Imad hit a first-ball four followed by Haider hitting two towering sixes and a four. Haider smashed Wood for his fifth six in the 19th over while Imad hit the winning runs. Imad (59 not out, 40b, 9x4s) and Haider (52 not out, 29b, 2x4s, 5x6s) added an unbeaten 98 for the seventh wicket, the highest in HBL PSL history, to take their side to the final. For Zalmi, Saim bagged two wickets while Wood, Mumtaz and Khurram picked up on each.Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi made the most of the opportunity to bat first as Shadab opted to field after winning the toss. Babar Azam and Saim stitched a fiery 72-run opening partnership after Saim muscled Naseem Shah for a maximum in the first over.In the following over, Obed McCoy found himself on the receiving end as the belligerent southpaw pummeled him for a six over fine leg and then followed it with two boundaries through cover and fine leg, respectively. Salman was employed to bowl the fourth over and gave away 13 runs. Then, Saim welcomed Faheem Ashraf in the sixth over with three boundaries capping off the powerplay with 59 on the board.Saim and Babar duo also became just the third opening pair, and the quickest, to score 1000 or more runs in HBL PSL history. Naseem returned to bowl the eight over and dismissed Babar (25, 22b, 2x4s, 1x6) as skipper Shadab plucked a spectacular catch at mid-off. Babar also breached the 550-run mark in HBL PSL 9 for the second time in the history of the tournament, a feat that has only been achieved by Mohammad Rizwan twice, and Fakhar Zaman once.Mohammad Haris joined Saim in the middle and the pair contributed with a 59-run second-wicket partnership. In the 10th over, Saim brought up his second HBL PSL 9 half-century in style with a maximum over long-off, taking 27 balls to do so.With Zalmi poised for a huge total after having notched 130-1 in 14 overs, Shadab brought his team back into the game with the vital scalp of Saim in the 15th over. Saim returned for 73 off 44, comprising six boundaries and four maximums. In the following over, Naseem dismissed Haris who returned a crucial 40 off 25, on the back of three fours and two sixes.Tom Kohler-Cadmore ransacked 17 runs off the 17th over while Rovman Powell fell for a paltry two off seven in the following over. Kohler-Cadmore’s (18, 9b, 2x4s, 1x6) cameo was ended in the penultimate over by Naseem. Aamir (17 not out, 9b, 1x4, 1x6) stitched a handy unbeaten 25-run sixth-wicket partnership with Hussain Talat (8 not out, 4b, 1x4), playing his first HBL PSL 9 game, to help Zalmi post 185-5 in the allotted 20 overs. Naseem registered a three-wicket haul while McCoy and Shadab bagged one wicket each.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s golfer Ahmad Baig cuddled to his first international title on the Asian Development Tour, carding a 65 and finishing -7 overall to claim victory in the Lexus Invitational at The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram, Vietnam.He started the day three flights and three shots behind the leaders, reeled off a sizzling string of five birdies to stamp his authority on the round, making the turn in 30. Two more birdies followed and despite a bogey on the last hole, he had done enough to wait in the clubhouse and watch his challengers fade away.This was Ahmed's third consecutive win in a row starting with the Rumanza Open in Multan and the JA Zaman Memorial in Lahore. Despite the wind, which has been a constant factor on all three days of this USD 85,000 ADT tournament, Baig was able to overcome the weather which caused the overnight leaders to struggle.

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Quetta Gladiators’ Abrar Ahmed and Saud Shakeel have both been fined five per cent of their match fees for Level 1 breaches of HBL PSL’s code of conduct during their side’s HBL PSL 9 fixture against Islamabad United at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Friday night. Abrar was found to have violated Article 2.4 of the HBL PSL Code of Conduct, which reads as: “Disobeying an umpire’s instruction during the match”. The incident occurred in the 19th over of Islamabad United’s batting, when, while fielding, Abrar rolled the ball all along the ground despite being instructed by the umpires not to do so.In a separate incident, in the same match, Saud was found to have violated Article 2.5 of the HBL PSL Code of Conduct, which reads as: “Using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during a match”.After dismissing United’s batter Salman Ali Agha in the 12th over, Saud went close to Salman and made remarks which could have provoked the batter. Both players pleaded guilty to the charges and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Mohammad Javed. The charges were imposed by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Chris Gaffaney.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Head Coach of the Pakistan men's national football team, Stephen Constantine said that Pakistani players would fight against Jordan in the FIFA World Cup Qualifier, which would take place on March 21 at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad.Talking to Media here at Model Town Ground C Block on Saturday, Coach Stephen Constantine outlined the team's mindset and strategic focus ahead of their encounter with Jordan, one of Asia's top football teams, on March 21 at Jinnah Stadium Islamabad. “It’s difficult obviously for Pakistan to play World Cup Qualifiers and face adamant opponents, who are football giants in Asia. We have very little time to prepare for such a big game. And unfortunately, we are going to play one of the best teams (Jordan) in Asia on 21st March." Replying to a query regarding whether the Pakistan team is going to play this FIFA World Cup 2026, Stephen replied: “No, we are not going to play this World Cup and maybe not the next World Cup as well. I am trying to prepare the team for the Asian Cup Qualifiers and the SAFF Championship.” As the national team intensifies its preparations, Stephen revealed that diaspora players are expected to join the training camp soon, adding strength to the squad. Responding to another query, the coach stated: "A proper and professional football league is the most important thing here in Pakistan. You cannot produce a player without a league.” Coach Stephen also highlighted the tough competition within their qualifying group, which includes heavyweights like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tajikistan. He sees this as an opportunity for the Pakistani squad to gain valuable experience and exposure that will benefit them in the long run.  

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Islamabad United will join Peshawar Zalmi in the second eliminator after they beat Quetta Gladiators by 39 runs at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Friday night. Islamabad scored 174-9 in the first innings, which they comfortably defended as Quetta was dismissed for just 135.After opting to bat first, Martin Guptill and Alex Hales put up a 51-run opening partnership, giving Islamabad a strong start. After seeing off Mohammad Amir’s first over for just two runs, Guptill hit three consecutive fours against Mohammad Wasim Jnr in the second over to get things going for the side.Hales (23, 20b, 1x4, 2x6s) hit two maximums against Abrar Ahmed in the fifth over but was caught by Jason Roy off Akeal Hosein in the following over as Islamabad ended the powerplay at 51-1. After the seventh and eighth overs passed quietly, Salman Ali Agha took charge against Wasim in the ninth over, hitting a four and six. By halfway mark, Islamabad stood at 93-1.Saud Shakeel’s introduction to the attack in the 12th over proved fruitful as he broke the 51-run partnership by dismissing Salman (31, 21b, 2x4s, 1x6). Shadab Khan walked in next and hit a quickfire 23 off 13, including one four and two sixes, before he fell to Abrar, with the scorecard reading 131-3 after 15 overs. Guptill got his 56th T20 half-century with a four on the fifth delivery of the 16th over. In the next over, Azam Khan (18, 6b, 1x4, 2x6s) hit two sixes and a four before Hosein avenged himself on the last ball.Islamabad lost four wickets in the 18th and 19th overs; Faheem Ashraf was caught behind off Amir while Haider Ali was run out on the next delivery. Then, Imad Wasim was run out courtesy of an excellent aim at the striker’s end by Wasim. Subsequently, Guptill (56, 47b, 5x4s, 1x6) sent one straight to Roy fielding at long-on. Amir, bowling the final over, castled Hunain Shah on the second delivery. Naseem Shah hit a six on the last ball of the innings to help Islamabad finish with a comfortable total of 174-9 after 20 overs. Amir and Hosein had two wickets each while Saud, Wasim and Abrar picked up one each.In return, Quetta Gladiators had a horror start to the chase as they lost half their wickets inside of the powerplay, whilst in pursuit of 175-run target on the tricky Karachi pitch. Imad, who opened the bowling for Islamabad, drew first blood with opening batter Saud caught behind for a five-ball duck on the final ball of the first over.On the second ball of the second over, Roy edged one to Faheem fielding at first slip and had to join his fellow opener back in the pavilion for just a run off three deliveries. Rilee Rossouw announced himself on the crease with a boundary on his first ball, facing Naseem. However, he could not maintain his stay at the crease and was caught by Haider at deep square in the third over, awarding Imad his second wicket of the day. Continuing his disappointing tally of scores at HBL PSL 9, the Quetta captain returned for a run-a-ball five.Then, Imad returned to bowl his third over and continued his lethal attack on the Quetta batting line-up. Nafay (5, 10b, 1x4), the fifth batter in, fell on the second delivery as the substitute fielder Qasim Akram grabbed a brilliant catch at short mid-off. On the subsequent ball, Evans was run out for a duck as trouble deepened for Quetta who found themselves 21-5 after five overs.Omair Bin Yousuf, who had witnessed his team’s batting collapse from the other end, was then joined in the middle by Hosein. The two batted together to add 52 runs off 34 balls, providing Quetta’s innings with a sense of stability as the side managed to get to 67-5 at the halfway mark. The sixth-wicket stand was cut short in the 11th over when Hosein (31, 18b, 2x4, 3x6) was run out after confusion in the middle. Subsequently, a languid 17-run seventh-wicket stand between Omair and Wasim (6, 10b) followed until the latter fell to Faheem in the 14th over.Amir walked into bat with Gladiators requiring 90 from 40 balls. He hit a dexterous 23 off 14, on the back of four boundaries and a six, attempting to keep Quetta in the game, despite the mounting pressure. The 20-ball 41-run eighth-wicket stand was eventually broken when Amir fell to Obed McCoy in the 17th over.Omair completed his second HBL PSL half-century (50, 37b, 4x4s, 1x6) before Faheem caught him at deep midwicket to award Naseem his second wicket. Hunain rattled Abrar’s stumps in the penultimate over to finish the game, as Islamabad cruised to Eliminator 2, scheduled to be played on 16 March at National Bank Stadium at 9pm. Imad Wasim was the pick of the bowlers for Islamabad, returning with three wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs. Naseem had two wickets while Faheem, Hunain and McCoy had one each.

LAHORE (PR): Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi met the Chairman of Cricket South Africa (CSA), Lawson Naidoo, and the Chairman of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), Roger Twose in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).The agenda of the meeting included the ODI Tri-series between Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa, to be held in February 2025 in Pakistan, just before the ICC Champions Trophy. The Tri-series was finalised and welcomed by the host and both the member boards.Chairman PCB also extended an invitation to Roger Twose and Lawson Naidoo to visit Pakistan. Pakistan Cricket Board last hosted a tri-series in October 2004, where Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe were the other two teams in the event.Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi said: “The Tri-series between Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand will be an exciting event and it is after a long time that Pakistan will host such a tournament. I would like to thank the heads of NZC and CSA for agreeing to participate in the Tri-series. The PCB is also looking forward to hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which will be a great pleasure for Pakistan to host the top eight ODI teams on its soil.”

New champions AlUla crowned after penalty shootout victory against Al Taraji in finalSports Bulletin ReportJeddah (Saudi Arabia): AlUla was crowned SAFF Women’s First Division League champions following a captivating showdown against Al Taraji on Wednesday night – clinching the 2023/24 title with a penalty shootout victory at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Reserve Stadium.With promotion to the SAFF Women’s Premier League already assured for next season, the two went head-to-head to determine which team would win the championship. After a hard-fought final which ended 1-1 after extra time, AlUla clinched the title by winning 4-2 on penalties.The championship trophy was proudly presented to the AlUla club by Lamia Bahaian, Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), in the esteemed presence of Aalia Al-Rasheed, Head of the Women's Football Department at SAFF.As for Al Taraji, they enter next season’s Saudi women’s top flight as runners-up after narrowly missing out on the title. Al Amal also joined AlUla and Al Taraji in the 2024/25 SAFF Women’s Premier League after securing the third and final promotion spot thanks to a 3-1 win against Al Taqadum in Wednesday’s third-place play-off.A thrilling campaign from start to finish, this season’s second edition of the SAFF Women’s First Division League welcomed 26 clubs – beginning in group stage format with four groups of five teams and one group of six. After facing each other home and away across five cities, 12 qualifiers progressed to the final rounds – again using a group stage format with four groups of three teams. The winners from each progressed to the semi-finals, where AlUla beat Al Amal 3-0 and Al Taraji overcame Al Taqadum 1-0 – paving the way for Wednesday’s incredible final.Over the 2023/24 SAFF Women’s First Division League season, 122 matches were played with 111 wins and 979 goals. These figures illustrate the positive direction of travel for professional women’s football in Saudi Arabia, as well as the skill, development, and performances of players and clubs alike.The SAFF Women’s First Division League is one of several competitions playing a crucial role in the strategic growth of women’s football in Saudi Arabia. By increasing the number of football competitions and enhancing standards, the aim of SAFF is to foster the development of talented female players within the Kingdom and provide pathways to representing the national team across age groups.