Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Farhan Mehboob outclassed top seed and world number 90 squash player Israr Ahmad 3-2 to record an upset victory on the opening day of the PSF-International Squash Circuit-1 Tournament at Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad on Saturday. Tournament is pursing prize money of US$ 6000 and final will be played on March 1, 2022 at the same venue. A group of 16 Pakistani players are participating in the national fixture for top honour. Results: Farhan Mehboob beat Israr Ahmad (3-2) 11-6, 11-8, 5-11, 6-11, 11-9 (51 Min) Mohammad Farhan Hashmi beat Salman Saleem (3-0) 11-3, 11-8, 12-10 (24 Min) Hamza Sharif beat Saeed Abdul (3-1) 11-13, 11-6, 11-2, 11-7 (31 Min) Waqas Mehboob beat Mohammad Ashab Irfan (3-0) 11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8 (36 Min) Hamza Khan beat Amaad Fareed (3-1) 11-4, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4 (32 Min) Zeeshan Zeb beat Zahir Shah (3-0) 11-7, 11-5, 11-4 (26 Min) Danish Atlas Khan beat Naveed Rehman (3-0) 11-8, 11-8, 11-1 (21 Min) Farhan Zaman beat Mohammad Farhan (3-0) 11-7, 13-11, 11-9 (25 Min).

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-After the HBL PSL 7, Pakistan Cup also provides a great opportunity to young and talented cricketers to showcase their skills to get a chance to represent Pakistan in white-ball series against Australia. Pakistan Cup is all set to commence from 2 March in four cities – Faisalabad, Islamabad, Lahore and Multan. The tournament will be held on a double-league basis from 2 March and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa led by Iftikhar Ahmed will look to defend the title when they take on Raza Ali Dar led Central Punjab at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Test leg-spinner Yasir Shah will lead Balochistan, while another leg-spinner and all-rounder Shadab Khan will lead Northern. Test fast bowler Mir Hamza will lead Sindh which will meet Salman Ali Agha’s Southern Punjab on the opening day at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The tournament carries nearly PKR10million in prize money. The tournament winners will bag PKR5million, while the runners-up will receive PKR2.5million. Balochistan: Yasir Shah (Captain), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Akif Javed, Ammad Butt, Asad Shafiq, Ayaz Tasawar, Azeem Ghumman, Bismillah Khan (WK), Haseebullah Khan (WK), Imran Butt, Jalat Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Saad, Mohammad Shahid and Taj Wali Central Punjab: Raza Ali Dar (Captain), Ahmed Shahzad, Awais Ali, Hussain Talat, Imran Dogar, Muhammad Akhlaq, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Irfan Jnr., Nisar Ahmed, Qasim Akram, Rizwan Hussain, Saad Nasim, Umar Akmal, Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz and Zafar Gohar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Iftikhar Ahmed (Captain), Aamer Azmat, Adil Amin, Arshad Iqbal, Asif Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan Jnr., Imran Khan Snr, Irfanullah Shah, Khalid Usman, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Sarwar, Sahibzada Farhan, Sameen Gul, Waqar Ahmed and Wasim Jnr. Northern: Shadab Khan (Captain), Aamir Jamal, Ali Imran, Asif Ali, Ather Mehmood, Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Mehran Mumtaz, Mubasir Khan, Mohammad Huraira, Musa Khan, Nasir Nawaz, Rohail Nazir (WK), Salman Irshad, Umar Amin and Zaman Khan Sindh: Mir Hamza (Captain), Omair Bin Yousaf, Abrar Ahmed, Ahsan Ali, Ammad Alam, Asif Mehmood, Danish Aziz, Khurram Manzoor, Mohammad Asghar, Mohammad Hasan (WK), Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Umar, Saad Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Sharjeel Khan and Sohail Khan Southern Punjab: Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Aamir Yamin, Abbas Afridi, Ali Majid, Azam Khan (WK), Faisal Akram, Hassan Khan, Imran Randhawa, Khushdil Shah, Rahat Ali, Sharoon Siraj, Sohaib Maqsood, Tayyab Tahir, Zain Abbas, Zeeshan Ashraf (WK) and Zia-ul-Haq.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Upcoming badminton girl,  Kanz-ul-Eman from Islamabad reached into the semi final of Girls Under-17 Singles after thrashing Tayyeba Shafeeq (Punjab) 2-0 in the National Junior Badminton Championship. The final score-line was 21-12 and 21-8. Now, Kanza will meet Maryam Hanif (Sindh) in the semifinal at the same venue. Kanz-ul-Haq, an upcoming badminton girl trained by Razi Sports Academy, produced sparking performance and claimed notable victories in the championship. “She is improving her game day by day and I hope she will be a hard nut not to crack in future, “said an official.  

Knight was speaking on the second day of the captains’ opening media conferences, with the skippers of New Zealand, India and Bangladesh also interacting with the media on Saturday. The 2017 winners will take on Australia in their opening match on March 5 in Hamilton and Knight believes it is Australia who head in as the team to beat. “I think five years is quite a long time in international cricket and obviously Australia have been the outstanding team throughout that period and naturally, deservedly they go in as favourites,” she said. “I don't think it [being defending champions] hangs heavy at all on our shoulders. I think the tournament we had in 2017 will give a lot of the players confidence that they can deal with the ebbs and flows of the tournament and know how to be successful in World Cups. “We'll be trying to take experience from that and we're not too worried about having the tag of obviously being reigning champions.” England will still be hoping to keep a hold of the trophy come the final in Christchurch on 3 April and have been working to be at their best for this tournament. Knight added: “Naturally the team evolves in World Cup cycles. I think the last couple of years with Lisa [Keightley, head coach] coming in, the changes we've made as a bowling unit. We've really tried to be a little bit more aggressive, a little bit more attacking, look to take wickets particularly up front and through that middle phase. “You're just trying to get your players together that are going to be successful during those five years preparing for a World Cup...In the last couple of years before a World Cup, you are trying to really build to peak at that time.” New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine is under a different sort of pressure as she leads her team at a home World Cup, including the opening match against the West Indies on 4 March. Devine and her WHITE FERNS teammates are inspired by the New Zealand teams of the past as they go in search of silverware. She said: “We know if we play a really exciting brand of cricket that we can get the whole country behind. That's going to leave a legacy. “I think it's something that the BLACKCAPS did particularly well in 2015. They really did have the whole country behind them and we're hoping we can do something similar in igniting the passion that so many Kiwis have for their sport and hopefully they can get behind us as well.” The last time New Zealand hosted a Women’s World Cup they came away champions, and Devine has fond memories of the 2000 triumph. “That was probably one of the first times I'd watched women's cricket on TV and it's not a bad one to watch,” Devine said. “There's a number of us players that were inspired by those players who played in that tournament and it's pretty incredible to think now here we are, some 20 odd years later, hosting our own World Cup tournament with the opportunity to hopefully replicate what they did back in 2000.” As India captain Mithali Raj prepares for a record sixth appearance at an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, she is looking to the future. Mithali Raj said: “The talent that we've got in the last year, we've tried some young talent in the squad, and most of them have shown that they have the ability to play at this level like Richa [Ghosh], Shafali [Verma], we have Meghna Singh in the seamers, Pooja Vastrakar. “They all have been given good game time and those series have really helped them and me as a captain to find out where they fit in into the composition of the team. “As far as me personally, I am happy with the way that I've been scoring runs, and I would love to continue the form into the World Cup.” With her vast experience at World Cups, the India captain has also been passing on her wisdom to those set to make their debut. “The young talent in the side today, I tell them that you don't have the experience of the past World Cups, so it's a clean slate for you, all you have to do is enjoy the big stage.,” she explained. “I did have a word with Yastika [Bhatia] the other day, I took her out for a coffee and we've spoken quite a bit, she’s a chatty kid and asked me a lot of questions. “The only advice I would tell the young players is enjoy the big stage because if you pile up the pressure you may not be playing the best that the team and you would want to do in the World Cup.” The whole of the Bangladesh side will make their debuts at a one-day World Cup as 2022 marks the country’s first appearance. For captain Nigar Sultana and her team, it is a chance to put their practice to good use. She said: “I think this is a big opportunity for all of us. We've been working so hard for this and this is our first ever World Cup. I think if we could do well here, it will be a great moment in Bangladesh cricket. We came a bit early just because we wanted to assess the wickets and the conditions because we have never played here in New Zealand conditions. “So, we have had a lot of quality practice sessions here, we are trying to assess the wicket and in the conditions, I think our girls have done very well.” Sultana has also been able to call on the knowledge of the Bangladesh men’s side, which played in New Zealand earlier this year. She revealed: “We do have some good relations with some of the players so they shared a lot of experience about the condition and how we're going to the play here. I think it is going to help us in the practice matches and the main matches as well.”

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RWALPINDI:-Ali Suria has won the title of the 14th National Tenpin Bowling Championship 2022 that concluded at Leisure City Bowling Club Jinnah Park Rawalpindi on Friday night. This mega event was organized by Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation (PTBF) in collaboration with Leisure City Bowling Club Jinnah Park Rawalpindi. On last day of the championship, Professional Singles final round was played in which Ali Suria won the title of Professional Single Category by scoring of 671 points with total 223.66 average in 3 games and Shabbir Lashkar secured 2nd spot by scoring a massive total of 605 pin while Ahmer Saldera Remains on 3rd position by scoring total 581 pins.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Top national Rower Ali Suleman has won the bronze medal in the World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championship in the Men’s Lightweight categories held at National Rowing Centre, University of the Punjab Lahore on Friday. According to an official of Pakistan Rowing Federation (PRF), national rowing players have won the bronze medal in light weight men’s and 8th position in the open weight men’s categories. Ali Suleman secured bronze medal in lightweight while Ahmad Aziz got 8th position in open weight category. Chairman PRF, Rizwan-ul-Haq applauded the performance of national players in the top international event. He also mentioned that new talent was enlightening the name of country at international level. “The players must be provided maximum available facilities in future, “he added. He also hailed the hard work of coach Abdul Rehman.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reiterated the IOC’s strong condemnation of the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian government and the government of Belarus through its support in this. The respective UN resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 2 December 2021 by consensus of all 193 UN Member States. The Olympic Truce began seven days before the start of the Olympic Games, on 4 February 2022, and ends seven days after the closing of the Paralympic Games. The IOC EB urges all International Sports Federations to relocate or cancel their sports events currently planned in Russia or Belarus. They should take the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian and Belarussian governments into account and give the safety and security of the athletes absolute priority. The IOC itself has no events planned in Russia or Belarus. In addition, the IOC EB urges that no Russian or Belarussian national flag be displayed and no Russian or Belarussian anthem be played in international sports events which are not already part of the respective World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sanctions for Russia. At the same time, the IOC EB expresses its full support to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. The IOC EB expresses its deep concerns about the safety of the members of the Olympic Community in Ukraine and stands in full solidarity. It notes that the special IOC task force is in contact with the Olympic Community in the country to coordinate humanitarian assistance where possible. The IOC EB asks the task force to continue to closely monitor the situation and to keep the IOC EB informed and updated, also with regard to potential amendments of today’s resolution.

Sports Bulletin Report Torino:-International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) has decided to suspend the IFSC Boulder and Speed World Cup, which was scheduled for 1 to 3 April 2022 in Moscow. The decision was taken following consultation with and approval of the IFSC Athletes’ Commission. IFSC President Marco Scolaris held several meetings today. During his discussion with the Ukrainian Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UMF), he expressed the solidarity of the IFSC and the entire Climbing community with the people of Ukraine during this unprecedented crisis. President Scolaris added that he hoped the conflict in Ukraine would end quickly and peacefully without any further violence. The IFSC intends to relocate the event to another location, with an announcement to follow once a new host has been selected.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Fazal Mahmood, Pakistan cricket’s first superstar, was formally inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame posthumously when PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain presented a commemoration cap to his daughter Shaista Mahmood and a plaque to his son Shahzad Mahmood in a ceremony that took place ahead of HBL Pakistan Super League 7 Eliminator 2 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday. Fazal was the first Pakistan cricketer to be named in Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year in 1955 following his heroics on the 1954 tour of England when he took 20 wickets in a four-Test series, including figures of six for 53 and six for 46 that helped Pakistan win The Oval Test by 24 runs. A couple of years earlier and on Pakistan’s first tour to India as a Test nation in 1952, Fazal had picked up five for 52 and seven for 42 that earned his side an innings and 43 runs victory in Lucknow. In the 1956 Test against Australia in Karachi, Fazal had figures of six for 34 and seven for 80 as Pakistan beat Ian Johnson’s Australia by nine wickets. Fazal’s varied swing and a mixture of leg-cutters were too much to handle for the West Indies as the maestro picked up 20 wickets in the 1957-58 series in the Caribbean and then followed up with 21 wickets in three Tests in the 1958-59 series at home. Fazal, who took 139 wickets in 34 Tests, was bestowed with the President’s Pride of Performance Award – the highest national literary award of Pakistan – in 1958. In 2012, he was posthumously awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz – the second highest civilian award – in recognition of his services to Pakistan cricket, seven years after his passing on 30 May 2005. PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain: “It is an honour for me to formally induct Fazal Mahmood into the PCB Hall of Fame on behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Fazal’s contributions to Pakistan cricket are unmatched. He sacrificed his Test selection for India and when he represented Pakistan after partition, he put Pakistan firmly on the world cricket map by producing successive match-winning performances against the top sides of that time. “It was Fazal’s persona, personality and stardom that inspired and attracted the subsequent generation of cricketers who not only went on to become the legends of the game, but also earned Pakistan priceless victories and success. It all started with Fazal. “Fazal will always be remembered as an iconic cricketer who spearheaded Pakistan’s journey from a young Test playing nation into a world-beating side.” Fazal’s son Shahzad Mahmood: “Fazal Mahmood was the first real hero and star of Pakistan cricket. He always took pride in representing Pakistan in international cricket and fondly shared his memories from his playing days. Post retirement, he continued his association with Pakistan cricket and made meaningful contributions. “On behalf of my family, I thank the Pakistan Cricket Board for honouring him and inducting him into the PCB Hall of Fame.”

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-National champion girl, Alja Tariq posted a comprehensive victory on the opening day of the DHA National Junior Badminton Championships by beating Laiba Bahram in Girls’ Singles Under-19 discipline in straight games 2-0 at Captain Fasih Babar Amin Shaheed Sports Complex DHA Lahore on Friday. Alja Tariq defeated Laiba Bahram with the score-line of 21-4 and 21-2.  Director Sports Branch DHA Lahore Brigadier Retired Munir Ahmad inaugurated the Championships. President, Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) Wajid Ali Chaudhry thanked DHA Lahore for sponsoring the national Junior Badminton Championships and 59th National Badminton Championships 2022. Results: Boys’ Singles Under-15 (Round-I) Faham Bukhari (Punjab) beat Ahsan (Balochistan) 21-6, 21-4 Mutahir Subhani (Islamabad) beat Taha Yaseen (New Khan) 21-13, 21-23, 21-16 Ali Danish (Sindh) beat Mohammad Raza (Balochistan) 20-22, 21-12, 21-14 Mohammad Arham Sattar (Army) beat Mohammad Suleman (Islamabad) 21-17, 16-21, 21-16 Hamza Waseem (Punjab) beat Deeraj Dodani (Sindh) 21-3, 21-8 Shahab Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwan) beat Mohammad Ahmad Malhi (New Khan) 21-7, 21-11 Usman Habib (Punjab) beat Mohammad Mahid Ali (Sindh) 21-3, 21-3 Mirza Ahmad Hafeez (Islamabad) beat Danyal Khan (DHA) 21-18, 22-20 Boys’ Singles Under-17 (Round-I) Mohammad Hashim Ali (Sindh) Beat Shayan Waseem (Islamabad) 21-10, 21-23, 21-12 Abdullah Tahir (Punjab) beat Mudasar (Balochistan) 21-15, 21-8 Faizan Asim (New Khan) beat Dameer Ahmed (Sindh) 21-18, 21-5 Mohammad Hashir (Khyber Pakhtunkhwan) beat Mohammad Haroon (Army) 18-21, 21-6, 21-14 Malik Ghasif (Punjab) beat Usman (Balochistan) 21-11, 21-7 Husnain Shahzad (New Khan) beat Ghazan (Balochistan) 21-19, 21-14 Ibrahim Iftikhar (Islamabad) beat Mohammad Abdullah (DHA) 21-7, 21-5 Men’s Singles Under-19 (Round-I) Hasnain Ahmad (KP) beat Abdullah Asim (New Khan) 19-21, 21-13, 21-11 Adnan Hafeez (Islamabad) beat Ali Zain Sheikh (Sindh) 21-13, 21-18 Mahad Bin Rafay (Islamabad) beat Zeshan Naseer (Army) 21-9, 21-14 Ibrahim Tahir (Punjab) beat Ghadeer (Balochistan) 21-10, 21-13 Abdullah Siddiqui (Sindh) beat Zaid Safi ((Khyber Pakhtunkhwan) 25-23, 24-22, 21-11 Mehaeel Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwan) beat Shahryar Abid (New Khan) 21-15, 21-13 Sohail Javed (Punjab) beat Hammad Asad (Army) 21-9, 21-14 Hamza Ali (Sindh) beat Muzammil (Balochistan) 21-6, 21-5 Hamza Khan (KP) beat Abdul Maalik (New Khan) 21-16, 21-17 Mohammad Afnan Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) beat Haris Fareed (Punjab) 21-19, 21-12 Girls’ Singles Under-17 (Round-I) Marwa Jadon (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) beat Aina Muneeb (Punjab) 21-8, 21-4 Sarwat Fatima (Balochistan) beat Kashmine Nadeem (Punjab) 21-6, 21-3 Aiman Fatima (Punjab) beat Khadija Bibi (KP) 21-6, 21-6 Kanzul Eman (Islamabad) beat Hiba Tariq (Sindh) 21-10, 21-12 Sapna (KP) beat Aisha Shafique (Punjab) 21-9, 21-19 Women’s Singles Under-19 (Round-I) Alja Tariq (Balochistan) beat Laiba Bahram (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) 21-4, 21-2 Musfira Zahid (Sindh) beat Imama Khuram (Punjab) 23-21, 21-10 Sana Hanif (Sindh) beat Naba Ali Jawa (Punjab) 21-8, 21-11 Zainab Chaudhry (Punjab) beat Minahil Khan (Islamabad) 21-19, 22-20.