PHF proposes to host first SCO Hockey Championship in IslamabadAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: President, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani today (Tuesday) met here with the National Coordinators and representatives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries currently visiting Pakistan.According to an official of PHF, during the meeting, the PHF President briefed the delegates on the ongoing efforts for the revival and development of hockey in Pakistan, outlining the progress achieved so far, the reforms being undertaken by the federation, and the initiatives aimed at rebuilding Pakistan’s hockey structure and restoring its international standing. Wani also shared PHF’s intention to host an SCO Hockey Championship in Islamabad in the near future, bringing together the hockey teams of SCO member states on a common platform in Pakistan.The SCO National Coordinators and representatives expressed great appreciation and enthusiasm for the proposal and showed their interest in participating in the proposed championship. They welcomed the initiative, termed this an opportunity to promote sports, strengthen people-to-people contacts and enhance sporting cooperation among SCO member states.The PHF President thanked the visiting representatives for their positive response and said that the proposed championship would provide a new platform for the development of the game of hockey and greater sporting interaction among SCO countries. Further consultations and technical details regarding the proposed SCO Hockey Championship will be worked out with the concerned member countries in the coming weeks.

Rawalpindi (Sports Reporter): Pakistan is set to host Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I and two-match World Test Championship series, while in between the two series, England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will also play a One-Day International tri-series. The match officials’ panel for these upcoming 12 international matches from 9 October to 21 November have been announced today. Jeffrey Crowe, member of ICC’s Elite Panel of match referees and former New Zealand Test cricketer, will lead the playing control team in all the seven matches of the showpiece ODI tri-series from 18 to 31 October in Rawalpindi and Lahore. Crowe made his Test debut as referee in October 2004 in Faisalabad Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.The New Zealander completed 350 ODI matches and also became just the second person to officiate 700 international matches as referee earlier this month. Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid from Bangladesh – both members of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, along with ICC International Panel Umpires including Wayne Knights from New Zealand, Asif Yaqoob, Nasir Hussain, Rashid Riaz Waqar and Faisal Khan Aafreedi will carry out umpiring duties in the ODI tri-series. Knights, who will add to his tally of 37 ODIs as Umpire, will partner with Asif in first match of the tri-series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka as on-field umpire. Ahsan, who will officiate the last two matches of the ODI tri-series as on-field umpire, will be accompanied by Sharfuddoula in Sri Lanka v England match in Lahore before standing in the field with Knights in the final. Faisal, Rashid and Nasir will be on-field umpires for one match each in the tri-series, while Asif will stand in two. Sharfuddoula and Knights will take turns as third umpire throughout the tri-series with the former starting in the series opener. Former English first-class cricketer and member of ICC’s Emerging Match Referees Group Dean Cosker will lead the playing control team for the first time in Tests when Sri Lanka and Pakistan face each other in Rawalpindi and Lahore. He has so far officiated 16 ODIs, 17 T20Is, three WODIs and six WT20Is after starting his career in October 2024. ICC Elite Panel of Umpires members Adrian Holdstock, Allahuddien Palekar – both from South Africa - and Rodney Tucker from Australia will carry out duties as on-field umpires in the two Tests. In the first match in Rawalpindi, Holdstock and Tucker will be on-field umpires, while Palekar will join Holdstock in the second Test. Palekar will be the third umpire in first Test, while Tucker will carry out the third umpire duties in second. Faisal Aafreedi and Asif Yaqoob will be fourth umpires in first and second Test, respectively. In the three-match T20I series scheduled on 9, 11 and 13 October, ICC International Match Referee Ali Naqvi will lead the playing control team. In the first match Rashid Riaz and Nasir Hussain will be on-field umpires, while Faisal Aafreedi will stand with Nasir in the second. Rashid will join Faisal in the third on-field. Faisal, Rashid and Nasir will be third umpires, respectively in the three T20Is, while Tariq Rasheed – PCB National Elite Panel Umpire – will be fourth umpire in all three T20Is. Match officials list:Pakistan v Sri Lanka T20I series Umpires - Faisal Khan Aafreedi, Nasir Hussain, Rashid Riaz Waqar, Tariq RasheedMatch Referee – Ali Naqvi ODI tri-series – Pakistan, England, Sri Lanka Umpires – Ahsan Raza, Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Khan Aafreedi, Nasir Hussain, Rashid Riaz Waqar, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Wayne KnightsMatch Referee – Jeffrey Crowe Three-day practice match at Islamabad ClubUmpires – Ahsan Raza and Abdul Moqeet, Zulfiqar JanReferee – Kamran Chaudhary Pakistan v Sri Lanka Test series Umpires – Adrian Holdstock, Allahuddien Palekar, Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Khan Aafreedi, Rodney TuckerMatch Referee – Dean Cosker Match-by-match appointments: 9 October - 1st T20I – Rawalpindi - Rashid Riaz Waqar and Nasir Hussain (on-field umpires), Faisal Khan Aafreedi (third umpire)11 October - 2nd T20I – Rawalpindi - Faisal Khan Aafreedi and Nasir Hussain (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz Waqar (third umpire)13 October – 3rd T20I – Rawalpindi - Faisal Khan Aafreedi and Rashid Riaz Waqar (on-field umpires), Nasir Hussain (third umpire)18 October – 1st ODI – Rawalpindi – Wayne Knights and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (third umpire), Faisal Khan Aafreedi (fourth umpire), Jeffrey Crowe (match referee)20 October – 2nd ODI – Rawalpindi - Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Faisal Khan Aafreedi (on-field umpires), Wayne Knights (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire), Jeffrey Crowe (match referee)22 October – 3rd ODI – Rawalpindi – Wayne Knights and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (third umpire) Faisal Khan Aafreedi (fourth umpire), Jeffrey Crowe (match referee)25 October – 4th ODI – Lahore – Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Rashid Riaz Waqar (on-field umpires), Wayne Knights (third umpire), Nasir Hussain (fourth umpire), Jeffrey Crowe (match referee)27 October – 5th ODI – Lahore - Wayne Knights and Nasir Hussain (on-field umpires), Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (third umpire), Rashid Riaz Waqar (fourth umpire), Jeffrey Crowe (match referee)29 October – 6th ODI – Lahore – Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Wayne Knights (third umpire), Nasir Hussain (fourth umpire), Jeffrey Crowe (match referee)31 October – tri-series final - Lahore – TBC v TBC – Wayne Knights and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (third umpire), Rashid Riaz Waqar (fourth umpire), Jeffrey Crowe (match referee)4-6 November – Three-day practice match – Islamabad – Ahsan Raza and Abdul Moqeet (on-field umpires), Zulfiqar Jan (fourth umpire), Kamran Chaudhary (match referee)9-13 November – 1st Test – Pakistan v Sri Lanka – Rawalpindi – Adrian Holdstock and Rodney Tucker (on-field umpires), Allahuddien Palekar (third umpire), Faisal Khan Aafreedi (fourth umpire), Dean Cosker (match referee)17-21 November – 2nd Test – Pakistan v Sri Lanka – Lahore - Adrian Holdstock and Allahuddien Palekar (on-field umpires), Rodney Tucker (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire), Dean Cosker (match referee).

Rizwan Shah outplays Zafar Ahmed 2-0 in Men’s Singles final to lift titleSports Bulletin ReportQUETTA: Young tennis lad Rizwan Shah clinched the Men’s Singles of the First Celecart Balochistan Tennis Tournament after beating Zafar Ahmed 2-0 in the final here on Sunday. Zahra claimed the Ladies’ Singles title, while Abdullah lifted the Boys’ Singles title.In the men’s singles final, Rizwan displayed top-quality skills of the game and overcame his opponent in straight sets 2-0, as the final score-line was 6-4 and 6-3. Earlier, in the women’s Zahra beat Zara at score of 6-2 and 6-2. In the boys’ final Abdullah toiled hard to beat his challenger Talha T 6-4 and 6-4. Balochistan Tennis Association (BTA) organized the tournament in collaboration with American Company Celecart, as the fixture provided an opportunity to players of the province to showcase their talent and compete at a competitive level.The tournament featured competitions in Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Singles and Boys’ categories, with a large number of players participating. The matches witnessed enthusiastic participation and a strong competitive spirit among players.Senior office-bearers of the Balochistan Tennis Association, including President Chaudhry Mumtaz Yousaf, Senior Vice President Sardar Arif Khan Noorzai, Vice President Mir Bahram Baloch, Secretary Syed Saleem Akhtar, Kifayat Ullah Bhutto and other officials, attended the tournament.Speaking on the occasion, BTA President Chaudhry Mumtaz Yousaf appreciated the participation of players and the efforts of the organizers in successfully holding the event. He said the tournament was aimed at providing local players, particularly young and emerging talent, with opportunities to gain competitive experience and improve their standard of tennis.He expressed gratitude to Celecart Chief Executive Zulqadar Rehman for supporting the tournament and providing financial assistance for its organization. He also appreciated the role of the private sector in promoting sports and encouraging young athletes, saying that cooperation between sporting bodies and corporate organizations could help create better opportunities for talented players at the grassroots level.Chaudhry Mumtaz Yousaf said the BTA was committed to making the Celecart Balochistan Tennis Tournament a regular annual event. He added that the association would continue its efforts to identify, develop and promote talented players from across the province and provide them opportunities to compete at provincial and national levels.The participation of young boys and girls alongside senior players also reflected the association’s efforts to broaden participation in tennis and encourage the next generation of players.Players, parents, officials and tennis enthusiasts welcomed the successful organization of the tournament, while the competitive matches generated considerable interest among members of the local tennis community.The Balochistan Tennis Association thanked Celecart, its Chief Executive Mr. Zulqadar Rehman, participating players, officials, parents, volunteers and tennis enthusiasts for their support and contribution to the successful conduct of the event.The successful conclusion of the First Celecart Balochistan Tennis Tournament marks a significant step towards strengthening tennis activities in Balochistan and providing greater opportunities for the province’s emerging players. 

LAHORE: (PR): Punjab University Student Gonish Batool won the National Half Marathon Race and received a cash award of PKR 650,000. The 2nd and 3rd positions were won by Pakistan WAPDA athletes.According to a press release of Punjab University, the event was organized by Allied Bank Pakistan from Liberty Square to Liberty Square with the participation of athletes from around the country covering 18 points of the route. The route points were based on the route map for the Lahore Marathon 2026, here are the names of the mentioned places in sequential order from 1 to 18:Liberty Market Square, Hafeez Center, Zahoor Elahi Road, KFC, Galleria Mall, Canal Road Intersection, PIC, Shadman Intersection, Qartaba Chowk, Tollinton Market, Shama Intersection, Muslim town Morr, Garden Town Underpass, PU Underpass, Jinnah Hospital, Usmani Rd Intersection, Usmani Rd Signal, Barkat Market, Kalma Chowk, Liberty Market Square.Dr Mohammad Ali congratulated PU athletes Gonish Batool, Coach Nabeel Ahmad, Director Sports Dr Shabbir Sarwar and the entire university on this marvelous achievement. He said that the Directorate of Sports worked with full dedication and commitment during the last two years to bring great victories and achievements to Punjab University's credit. This included university’s overall top ranking in the HEC General Trophy with 18 point and 1.8 million cash award in men and women sports.Director Sports, Dr Shabbir Sarwar also congratulated the winner athlete Gonish. He said that PU was currently playing PCB Grade 2 Cricket President’s Trophy for the first time in the history of Pakistan Cricket.

Sports Bulletin ReportAichi-Nagoya (Japan): The officials of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) and players are happy after finishing in third place in the Asian Games 2026 in the Men’s Singles discipline, as the mega regional sports event is going on in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Pakistan Secured 2 Bronze Medals in Men's Singles Individual Event. Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab Irfan received the bronze medals at the official medal ceremony at Nagoya Kinjo-Futo Arena. Noor Zaman Khan beat Mohammad Ashab 3-0 in the third-place play-off before the final. 

Islamabad (Sports News): Pakistan defeated Kazakhstan 3–1 in their first match of Pool A men’s preliminary round of the volleyball competition at the Asian Games 2026..Pakistan started strongly, winning the first two sets by 25–16 and 25–22. Kazakhstan responded in the third set, taking it 25–17, but Pakistan closed out the match by winning the fourth set 25–20.The match, played at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium, lasted 1 hour and 23 minutes.Pakistan accumulated 92 total points compared with Kazakhstan’s 83. Pakistan also recorded a 49% spike success rate (55/114) and 57% dig efficiency (29/51).Among Pakistan’s individual players, Murad Wazir Khan was the leading scorer with 20 points, including 16 successful spikes and 4 blocks. Usman Faryad Ali contributed 14 points, while Captain Murad Jehan scored 11 and Musawer Khan added 9 points.Tomorrow Pakistan will face Uzbekistan at 9 am (PST)

Sports Bulletin ReportBandung (Indonesia): Thailand outclassed Pakistan 4-0 in a FIFA Asean Football cup 2026 here at the Stadion Si Jalak Harupat on Saturday.Teerasak Poeiphimai scored a hat-trick for the victors while Jude-Bell Soonsup scored the other goal and the defeat means Pakistan need to regroup before their next match against the Philippines on Tuesday.Thailand had been restricted to long-range shots; goalkeeper Yousuf Butt making a superb save on the half-hour mark. Yousuf, however, was powerless when he made another save moments later, only for Poeiphimai Teerasak to tuck in the rebound and open the scoring for the Thais.Thailand’s second came 10 minutes later after captain Abdullah Iqbal’s misplaced pass led to a quick burst that saw Jude-Bell Soonsup slam home from close range. Thailand continued to attack and had the ball in the back of the net three minutes later, only for it to be ruled offside.Pakistan needed more inspiration and coach Solano made three substitutions at halftime with Shayek Dost, Hayyan Khattak and Alamgir Ghazi coming on for Ali Raza, Ali Agha and Abdullah Shah. The team showed more enterprise with full-backs Mohammad Fazal and Haris Ali Zeb making more forward runs.But it was Thailand who scored with a superb looping effort on the volley by Poeiphimai on the hour mark. Pakistan tried to respond with Abdul Samad Arshad shooting narrowly wide. Veteran Kaleemullah Khan was brought on by Solano but Pakistan fizzled out and Poeiphimai completed his hat-trick after a mixup in defence six minutes from time, dinking the ball into the goal with his side-foot.

Dubai (Anjum Shakeel): Gulf Giants Development have won the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2026, beating Desert Vipers Development by four wickets in the final at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai, the UAE. Chasing 144, Gulf Giants reached 144/6 in 18.4 overs, with eight balls to spare, to lift the trophy for the second time.Desert Vipers won the toss and elected to bat, but Gulf Giants’ bowlers kept them in check and dismissed them for 143 in 19.5 overs. Aayan Khan led the attack with 3/33, while Hazret Luqman claimed 2/30.The chase was controlled rather than hurried. Gulf Giants reached the target in 18.4 overs, with Junaid Shamsuddin making a valuable contribution at both ends. He took 1/8 and then scored 29 off 29 balls, earning Player of the Match honours.The victory completed a strong tournament for Gulf Giants Development, who finished top of the group stage with four wins from five matches. It is the side’s second title in the competition, following its 2024 triumph.Gulf Giants Head Coach Simon Helmot said the team delivered “about as complete a performance as we could have asked for”.“We were sharp with the ball from the first over and never let the game get away from us, and then our terrific batters did the rest. To restrict a strong batting unit to 143 and chase it down with overs and wickets in hand tells you everything about the character in this group.”The campaign also brought individual recognition for two Gulf Giants batters. Sagar Kalyan finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, making 280 runs in seven matches at an average of 46.67 and a strike rate of 189.19.Ansh Tandon was third on the tournament’s run-scoring list with 237 runs at an average of 33.86 and a strike rate of 176.87.Helmot said having two of the tournament’s top five run-scorers in the Gulf Giants squad reflected the work being done in scouting and talent development.“Having two of the top five run scorers in the tournament come from our own squad is a testament to our scouting and talent development. Sagar and Ansh have been outstanding throughout the tournament, and the platform provided by this tournament is exactly what UAE cricket needs. It gives the upcoming players a genuine stage to show what they can do in front of the franchises ahead of the DP World ILT20 auctions.”The tournament also gives DP World ILT20 franchises an opportunity to assess emerging players ahead of the auction. Helmot said Gulf Giants had already identified players from across the competition whom they would consider for the next stage of squad-building.“This competition plays a big role in how we build our squad going forward. We’ve already identified our targets for the auction from all the teams that played in the tournament. We've got off to a great start here, and now the focus shifts to the auction and building towards a title charge in the DP World ILT20 as well.”

Lahore (Sports Reporter): Azan Ahmed has been named captain of Pakistan U17 squad that will take on Sri Lanka U17 in a bilateral series scheduled to take place in Multan next month.The series consists of one three-day match and five one-day matches, all set to be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium from 9 to 24 October. Sri Lanka will arrive on Monday, 5 October while both sides will practice at the stadium from 6 to 8 October.17-year-old Azan represented Rawalpindi U17 in the National Men’s U17 Cup held earlier this year. The right-arm leg-spinner took 36 wickets in eight matches with four for 28 his best figures in an innings during the two-day tournament. He also led his side to the title as Rawalpindi defeated Abbottabad by 125 runs in the final held at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from 11-13 May.Following the tournament, 48 players were called up for the U17 Skills Development Camp which was held in Faisalabad from 30 July. Among the 48 players, 30 players were later shortlisted to take part in the second phase of the camp.All 16 players alongside four reserve players selected for the series had featured in National Men’s U17 Cup.16-member squad:Azan Ahmed (captain), Abdullah Ahmed Butt, Arsalan Hassan (wk), Daud Tauqeer Rana, Fahad Iqbal, Hamid Raza, Hamza Abbas Baloch, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Essa Baloch, Mohammad Ihsaan, Mohammad Naveed, Mohammad Saim, Mohammad Yaqoob Khan, Mohammad Yousaf, Sher Wali Khan and Sudais AhmedReserve players:Ammar Khan, Imad Ali Shah, Nafees Akhtar and Saqib KhanSeries schedule (all matches at Multan Cricket Stadium):5 Oct – Sri Lanka U17 arrival6-8 Oct – Pakistan U17 and Sri Lanka U17 teams training at MCS9-11 Oct – Only Three-Day match15 Oct – First One-Day17 Oct – Second One-Day19 Oct – Third One-Day21 Oct – Fourth One-Day24 Oct – Fifth One-Day

Islamabad (Sports News): During the third day of action at the 2026 Asian Games, it was Pakistan’s Mohammad Ashab Irfan [5/8] who stole the headlines with an impressive display to upset the seedings and defeat India’s Veer Chotrani [3/4] on what was an action-packed day at the Nagoya Kinjo-Futo Arena.The 20th Asian Games sees three squash competitions taking place at the Nagoya Kinjo-Futo Arena, with Mixed Doubles and Singles being contested from 23-27 September, followed by the Team event taking place from 28 September-2 October.The event brings together the very best Asian squash stars, who will not only be competing for national honours but also for a place in history as squash’s first-ever Olympians, with the winners of the Singles competitions earning a place in the main draw at squash’s Olympic debut at LA28.Despite Chotrani taking the lead in the opening game of their quarter-final encounter, winning 11-6, Irfan refused to back down from the challenge against the No.3/4 seed and was able to bounce back to claim the second 11-8.With momentum behind him, the Pakistan No.2 continued to launch a strong attack on the World No.49, claiming the third 11-3, before closing out the match, winning 11-3 – becoming the first Pakistani semi-finalist since Aamir Atlas Khan achieved the feat in 2010 in Guangzhou, China."I am feeling so good today. Coming into the Asian Games everyone knows the stakes of qualifying for the Olympics, so I knew it wasn't going to be easy," said Irfan after the match. "I am really happy to have got the win today, as Veer [Chotrani] is such a tough player. We have played quite a few times in the past, but to get the win today, it just feels amazing. I am so excited."Irfan’s triumph will see him face off against India’s No.2 seed Abhay Singh, who reached tomorrow’s semi-final with a determined straight-game win over one of the home crowd favourites, Ryuonsuke Tsukue [5/8].Joining them in the semi-final will also be No.3 seed and U23 World Champion Noor Zaman, who secured his place in the last four by downing Henry Leung [5/8] of Hong Kong, China, in four games.Zaman’s victory also made Pakistan squash history, as it means for the first time in 24 years two Pakistan players will compete in the semi-finals of the Asian Games, a feat achieved by Mansoor Zaman Sr and Shahid Zaman in 2002 at Busan, Republic of Korea.Following the achievement, Zaman said: "I am feeling so good today, it has been a long time since two Pakistani players have been in the semifinals of the Asian Games, so to have achieved that today with Irfan is great.“It is a very proud moment for us both, and I know we will both be so excited to fight for a place in the final. I am really looking forward to it.” With a place confirmed in the semi-finals, Zaman will take on the defending champion and No.1 seed Eain Yow Ng of Malaysia, who advanced after beating Hong Kong, China’s Alex Lau [5/8] in straight games.Meanwhile, the Women’s Singles draw continued to showcase high-quality squash as Hong Kong, China’s Sin Yuk Chan [5/8] confirmed her place in tomorrow's semi-finals in Nagoya.Despite dropping the opening game 10-12, Chan was able to bounce back and remain seemingly unfazed, winning the next three games 11-9, 11-5, 11-9.The win for Chan will see her compete against Sivasangari Subramaniam for a spot in Sunday’s final, with the Malaysian No.1 scoring an impressive straight-game victory over Hong Kong, China’s Tomato Ho.No.2 seed Satomi Watanabe also booked her place in the semi-finals in front of a supportive home crowd, beating her compatriot Akaria Midorikawa 11-5, 11-2, 11-6."I am really pleased and happy to go through to the semifinals," said Watanabe. "I wasn’t happy with my performance yesterday, but I am happy with my performance today as it is always tough to play against a teammate."It is always hard against someone you know really well, and a friend, but on the court she is a rival and it was an enjoyable, clean battle against her."So to get the win, and move one step closer is a great feeling, but it is all about making sure we take it one match at a time." The Japanese No.1 will go on to face India’s No.3 seed Anahat Singh, who progressed into the semi-finals with a 3-0 victory over her teammate Tanvi Khanna.In the Mixed Doubles draw, it proved to be a successful day for Hong Kong, China, with both of their doubles teams advancing into tomorrow’s semi-finals.In the opening session of the day, Hong Kong, China’s team of Ka Yi Lee and Ming Hong Tang progressed to the semi-finals after downing No.1 seeds Mohammad Syfiq Mohd Kamal and Aifa Azman in straight games.The victory for the duo will see them face off against India’s Velavan Senthilkumar and Joshana Chinnappa [3/4], who confirmed their place in tomorrow’s match after beating the Philippines’ Davia Pelino and Jemyca Aribado [9/16].On Court 6, Hong Kong, China’s Yee Lam Tse and Lai Cheuk Nam Matthew secured a place in the semi-finals after beating Pakistan’s Muhammad Asim Khan and Mehwish Ali 11-6, 11-7.The duo will go on to face Malaysia’s No.2 seeds Rachel Arnold and Ameeshenraj Chandaran, who reached the last four with a 2-0 win over the Republic of Korea’s Seojin Oh and Mingyeo