Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced free entry for students for the second Test match between Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan, scheduled to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 30 August to 3 September.The students are required to be in their uniform and bring their educational institutions cards to enter the stadium. They will be able to witness the live action from any of the VIP enclosures – Imran Khan and Javed Miandad (subject to availability of seats) and premium enclosures – Miran Baksh, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat.The decision was made to encourage students to come and witness exciting game of cricket between the two sides. Bangladesh are leading the two-match Test series 1-0, after defeating the hosts by 10 wickets in the first Test match which concluded on Sunday. The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. The free entry policy for students does not apply on the seating capacity in PCB Gallery or Platinum Box. 

PESHAWAR (PR): Bajaur Cricket Association (BCA) has officially appointed sports journalist and cricket commentator Abdul Ghaffar Khan as its media coordinator, issuing a formal notification to this effect. Welcoming the decision, sports circles and club presidents praised this step as a positive move towards the promotion of cricket in Bajaur. Abdul Ghaffar Khan brings extensive experience in cricket commentary from Radio Pakistan and is a well-known sports journalist based in Islamabad.They further added that his appointment will not only enhance media coverage of matches in Bajaur but also highlight the issues faced by players at the governmental level. Expressing his commitment, Abdul Ghaffar Khan stated that he would utilize all his abilities to contribute to the development of cricket and cricketers in Bajaur.  

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Fatima Sana has been named as the Pakistan women’s cricket team captain for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United Arab Emirates from 3 to 20 October. The decision was a unanimously one made by the women’s national selection committee.22-year-old Fatima, who has featured in 41 ODIs and 40 T20Is, has previously led Pakistan emerging and domestic sides. She also captained the Pakistan side to a famous ODI win against New Zealand in a Super Over at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch, in December 2023.Fatima will replace 37-year-old all-rounder Nida Dar, who took over as all-format captain from Bismah Maroof. Nida, a veteran of 112 ODIs and 153 T20Is, is part of the side that has been clubbed with Australia, India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Group A. The revised fixtures of the group will be announced by ICC in due course.The selection committee has made only one change in the squad, which featured in last month’s ACC Women’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. Right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas, who was also part of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa, has made a comeback in the squad in place of wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi, who will travel with the side as a reserve player.From the 2023 edition, 10 players (Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Tuba Hassan) have been retained, while uncapped left-arm pacer Tasmia Rubab makes it to the final 15. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal has been included in the squad subject to fitness.Pakistan squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba HassanTraveling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper)Non-traveling reserves: Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani

Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): The stage is set ahead of the first ever AFC Women’s Champions League matches to take place in Saudi Arabia, with Women’s Premier League champions Al Nassr preparing to become the first women’s side from the Kingdom to participate in the illustrious competition on Sunday evening.The Riyadh club will make their debut in Group A of the competition’s preliminary stage on Sunday evening at Al Awwal Park against Myawady Women FC, the domestic champions of Myanmar. The two-time Saudi Arabian league champions will then face Young Elephants of Laos and champions of the UAE’s domestic women’s league, Abu Dhabi Country Club to round out the group.Al Nassr head coach, Sandro Mendes believes his side have what it takes to compete in Asia’s premier women’s club competition. “We know the teams we are facing, we’ve done our homework. We’ll take it game by game but we are Al Nassr and we’re ready to compete,” he said.With the official start to the Saudi Arabian Women’s Premier League in September, the challenge of qualifying to the next stage of the top women’s club competition in Asian football is something Mendes feels his side have prepared for.Mendes added, “It’s our first official game of the season but I believe we are ready. We’ve had a good preseason in Spain and added some strong international players with experience to the squad, so we hope to progress to the next stage.”Sousa said, “from my few weeks of training with the team so far, it’s clear that Al Nassr doesn’t just come to compete and take part. We’re ready to give our all in every match and obviously go for the win.”The Brazilian international, who competed in last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League with her former club, is looking forward to the chance to make an impact on her debut in the club’s first ever appearance in Asia’s top women’s club competition.“For me, every player wants to make history for the club. Every competition is different but at a big club, you always want to win and make history. So hopefully we can take the first step in this competition,” she added.Organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the AFC Women’s Champions League is destined to usher in a new era of success and progress for women’s football in the years ahead – serving as the new premier continental competition for professional women’s clubs across the region. For the upcoming 2024/25 season, the highly anticipated inaugural edition will welcome the 21 domestic champions from AFC member associations.

Sports Bulletin ReportGuiyang (China): The U16 men and women brought the Lead climbing to a close at the IFSC Youth World Championships Guiyang 2024 as Japan and South Korea claimed the golds. Japan’s Hayashi Arisa added to her nation’s tally from the U18 and U20 categories the previous night while South Korea’s Jung Chanjin claimed his country’s first gold of the event. Hayashi was the last to climb in the women’s category and knew only a top would be enough. She confidently ascended the wall and concentration turned to elation as she turned to face the crowd knowing she was the new Youth world champion.Hayashi said: “I’m very, very happy. I like Lead and I have trained a lot of Lead for this event. I knew I had to top to win, and I felt a little bit nervous, but I wanted to win and get a medal and so I just had to do my best.”The home crowd in China just missed out on the golden celebration as Yu Chenxuan was the one Hayashi moved above for the win. It meant with her top Yu had to settle for silver ahead of Switzerland’s Julia Rasmussen who also topped for bronze.Another home favourite, Li Meini, just missed out on the podium despite also topping the route. Li was fourth ahead of Ukraine’s Rafael Kazbekova who was just one second away from also joining the group of climbers to top. She had hold 54 for fifth place.Great Britain’s Isabella Rinaldi was sixth with hold 43+, Japan’s Nakamura Marin was seventh on hold 42+ and South Korea’s Lee Suye was also on the same hold but in eighth.Just like Hayashi, Jung was also the last climber out in his competition and was also feeling confident after topping every route so far in the qualification and semi-final. It was his top in the semi-final that secured Jung the gold as he scored a hold 39+ climb just like silver medallist Hamada Ryusei of Japan, with his better countback scores securing the win.Joining Jung and Hamada on the podium was bronze medallist Park Taesung, also of South Korea. Park climbed to hold 37+ for his medal. Fourth place went to Japan’s Nakata Kazuki on hold 36+ and fifth was South Korea’s Lee Hayool with the same score.Italy’s Andrea Ludovico Chelleris was sixth on hold 34+, Japan’s Uehara Ikken was seventh on hold 28 and USA’s Beckett Hsin was unfortunately stopped on hold 14 following a quickdraw error. The Youth Worlds now moves away from Lead to the Boulder and Speed disciplines for all age categories - U16,U18, U20.

Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK): England Men's pace bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Rothesay Test series against Sri Lanka after scans confirmed a right thigh muscle strain. Wood sustained the injury on the third day of England's five-wicket victory in the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford, which prevented him from bowling on the final day.Leicestershire's 20-year-old left-arm seamer Josh Hull has received his first senior call-up to replace Wood in the squad for the remaining two Tests at Lord's, starting on Thursday, and at the Kia Oval on Friday, 6 September.Hull, who stands at 6ft 7in, has been a pivotal figure in Leicestershire's bowling attack and played a crucial role in their 2023 One-Day Cup victory. Earlier this month, he made his debut for the Lions against the Sri Lanka tourists, taking five for 74 in the Lions' seven-wicket victory. The England squad will assemble in London on Monday night ahead of the second Test at Lord's.England Men's Test Squad: Ollie Pope (Surrey-Captain), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Jordan Cox (Essex), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Josh Hull (Leicestershire), Dan Lawrence (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)Remaining Fixtures:2nd Test: England v Sri Lanka, 29 August-2 September 2024, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London3rd Test: England v Sri Lanka, 6-10 September 2024, Kia Oval, London

PCB ReportRAWALPINDI: Mushfiqur Rahim became only the second Bangladesh batter after Mohammad Ashraful (190) to be dismissed in the 190s as Pakistan were left chasing the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.Mushfiqur, who started the fourth day’s play at his overnight score of 55 in Bangladesh’s 316 for five while replying to Pakistan’s 448 for six declared, was dismissed after scoring 191 in Bangladesh’s 565, their third highest total outside home.When play ended on the penultimate day, Pakistan, trailing by 117 runs on the first innings, were 23 for one after 45 minutes of batting with Abdullah Shafique (12) and captain Shan Masood (nine) at the crease. Saim Ayub (one) was the batter to be dismissed.Mushfiqur, who featured in the first four-day match for Bangladesh ‘A’ against Pakistan Shaheens, took full advantage of a DRS reprieve when he was on 59 with the scoreboard showing Bangladesh as 324 for six was eventually caught at the wicket off fast bowler Mohammad Ali who ended with figures of two for 88. Mushfiqur occupied the crease for eight hours and 42 minutes during which he received 341 deliveries of which 22 were converted into fours and one into six.When Mushfiqur reached three figures off 200 balls with 12 fours, he completed his 11th Test century, making him the second most successful Bangladesh batter after Mominul Haque (12).The diminutive 37-year-old, in association with 26-year-old Mehidy Hasan Miraz, broke the 48-year-old record when the duo put on 196 runs for the seventh wicket – highest against Pakistan to date, eclipsing the 186 runs partnership between Warren Lees and Sir Richard Hadlee in Karachi in 1976.Mehidy, who was dropped on 52 and 59, was the ninth batter out after scoring a 179-ball 77 with six fours. He fell to Shaheen Shah Afridi, who celebrated the birth of his first child by finishing with figures of two for 88 off 30 overs.Pakistan had started the fourth day’s proceedings promisingly when Naseem Shah dismissed Litton Das to make Bangladesh 332 for six. Litton, who was 52 overnight, managed to add only four runs to his score.But then Pakistan had to wait for another 56 overs before finding another success.After Mushfiqur was the seventh batter to be dismissed, Hasan Mahmud lasted 18 balls for his naught before falling to Shaheen. He was followed by Mehidy and the innings was finally wrapped up when Shoriful Islam’s breezy 14-ball 22 was ended by Naseem.Naseem turned out to be the most successful of the four-pace attack with figures of 27.3-6-93-3, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad picked up two wickets apiece.Salman Ali Agha turned down 41 overs and remained wicketless, but he will consider himself unlucky as two catches were dropped off his bowling.Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 171 not out with the bat in Pakistan’s 448 for six declared, accounted for four batters behind the stumps, but was also guilty of dropping Mehidy when 52.Scores in brief (day 4 of 5):Pakistan (1st innings) 448-6d (Mohammad Rizwan 171 not out, Saud Shakeel 141, Saim Ayub 56, Shaheen Shah Afridi 29 not out; Hasan Mahmud 2-70, Shoriful Islam 2-77) and 23-1Bangladesh (1st innings) 565 all-out, 167.3 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 191, Shadman Islam 93, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 77, Litton Das 56, Mominul Haque 50; Naseem Shah 3-93, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-88, Mohammad Ali 2-88, Khurram Shahzad 2-90) 

Sports Bulletin ReportGuiyang (China): The first 2024 IFSC Youth world champions were crowned today as Japan ruled the men’s Lead and Slovenia the women’s.There were four sets of medals and titles on offer on the third day of competition in Guiyang, China as the U18 and U20 men and women crowned their new Lead champions.In the first finals of the evening, Slovenia’s Jennifer Eucharia Buckley stood atop the women’s podium and Japan’s Kurashita Manato the men’s.Buckley was the last to climb in the women’s competition and her score of 38+ was enough to take the win ahead of silver medallist Flora Oblasser from Austria and bronze medallist Geila Macia Martin from Spain.Oblasser had a 37 hold climb and Macia Martin a 32+ and actually won the medal on time, by just five seconds ahead of Japan’s Mugishima Kohana.     Spain’s Julia Benach Zubero was fifth, Austria’s Anika Deubler was sixth, Slovenia’s Lana Goric was seventh and Japan’s Yama Manami was eighth.In the men’s competition Kurashita won his gold with a 43+ climb ahead of both South Korea’s Lee Hakjin and teammate Funaki Haru who both scored 40+. Lee won the silver thanks to better previous results and Funaki had to settle for bronze.South Korea’s Noh Hyunseung was just off the podium in fourth ahead of fifth placed Auswin Aueareechit from Thailand, Czechia’s Jan Stipek was sixth, Japan’s Nagamori Hareru was seventh and France’s Akyan Etchar was eighth.Completing the podium was Austria’s Magdalena Kompein who with a 31+ hold climb for bronze took her country’s second medal of the night. Switzerland’s Noe Looser finished in fourth, Japan’s Takeuchi Ai was fifth, Austria’s Ines Schwaiger was sixth, Iran’s Sarina Ghaffari was seventh and Japan’s Nagashima Michika was eighth.Last but by no mean’s least, Sugimoto climbed to hold 43+ and to the top step of the podium ahead of silver medallist Darius Rapa of Romania who reached hold 38+ and bronze medallist Omata Shion of Japan who reached hold 35.Omata just pipped Germany’s Yannick Nagel in fourth and Great Britain’s Rhys Conlon in fifth to the bronze thanks to countback as they all reached the same hold in the final. Bulgaria’s Slav Kirov was sixth, Great Britain’s Jack Macdougall was seventh and Japan’s Wada Kisato was eighth.

Shadman Islam (93), Mushfiqur Rahim (55), Litton Das (52), and Mominul Haque make (50) in Pindi StadiumAbdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: Four responsible innings,  Shadman Islam (93), Mushfiqur Rahim (55), Litton Das (52), and Mominul Haque (50) helped Bangaldesh to score 316 for 5 to control the Day-3 of the of the first Test match against hosts Pakistan at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Friday. Bangali Tigers were still in 132 runs deficit at the end of the day. Bangladesh restarted their first innings 27 for 0. Shadman and Mominul Haque rebuilt the innings with a 94-run third wicket partnership. Mominul scored 50 off 76 balls with five fours, before his off stump was sent on a walk by Khurram Shahzad, who finished the day with two for 47.Shadman was cleaned up by fast bowler Mohammad Ali after scoring an impressive and elegant 93 at Bangladesh’s score of 199 for four. But the 98-run unbroken sixth wicket stand between Mushfiqur Rahim (55) and Litton Das (52) helped the tourists to reduce the first innings deficit to 132 runs with five wickets standing.Mushfiqur’s 122-ball innings is studded with seven fours, while Litton has faced 58 balls and struck eight fours and a six. The two batters took full advantage of the tired Pakistan bowlers in the final session of an extended play by hitting some delightful strokes as the visitors added 117 runs in 26 overs.Pakistan bowlers toiled on a hot day and on a surface that didn’t offer as much assistance as on the first day. Out of the 92 overs Bangladesh has faced to date, Pakistan’s spinners bowled 20 overs with Saim Ayub picking up a wicket in his first over in Test cricket by dismissing Shakib Al Hasan (15).Fast bowler Naseem Shah has been the most expensive bowler of Bangladesh’s first innings to date with figures of 20-4-77-1. Shaheen Shah Afridi was wicketless in figures of 18-3-55-0, while Mohammad Ali had figures of 15-2-42-1.Summarised Scorecard (Day-3):Pakistan Batting (First Innings): 448 for 6 declaredAbdullah Shafique (c Zakir Hasan b Hasan Mahmud) 2 runs in 14 ballsSaim Ayub (c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Hasan Mahmud) 56 runs in 98 balls (4x4, 6x1)Shan Masood (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 6 runs in 11 ballsBabar Azam (c Litton Das b Shoriful Islam) 0 run in 2 ballsSaud Shakeel (St. Liton B Hasan Mirza) 141 runs, 261 balls (4x9, 6x0)Mohammad Rizwan (not out) 171 runs in 239 balls (4x11, 6x3)Agha Salman (c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Shakib Al Hasan) 19 runs, 36 balls (4x1, 6x0)Shaheen Shah Afridi (not out) 29 runs, 24 balls, 4x1, 6x2)Bangladesh Bowling:Shoriful Islam (2 for 77), Hasan Mahmud (2 for 70), Hasan Mirza (1 for 80), Shakib ul Hasan (1 for 100)Bangladesh Batting (First Innings): 316 for 5               Shadman Islam (b Mohammad Ali) 93 runs, 183 balls, (4x12, 6x0)Zakir Hasan (Mohammad Rizwan b Naseem Shah) 12 runs, 58 balls, (4x1, 6x0)Najmul Hossain Shanto (b Khurram Shahzad) 16 runs, 42               balls (4x2, 6x0)Mominul Haque (b Khurram Shahzad) 50 runs, 76 balls (4x5, 6x0)Mushfiqur Rahim (not out) 55 runs, 122 balls, (4x7, 6x0)Shakib-ul-Hasan (c Shan Masood B Saim Ayub) 15 runs, 16 balls (4x2, 6x0)Litton Das (not out) 52 runs, balls 58 (4x8, 6x1)Pakistan Bowling:Khurram Shahzad (2 for 47), Naseem Shah (1 for 77), Mohammad Ali (1 for 42), Saim Ayub (1 for 23)Pakistan Team: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Agha Salman, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad Bangladesh Team: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid RanaMatch Officials: Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (South Africa) and Richard Kettleborough (England)TV Umpire: Micheal Gough (England)Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz (Pakistan)Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

Rawalpindi (PR): The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced free entry for spectators for the remaining days (fourth and fifth) of the first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The decision was made keeping in view of the weekend, which will allow families and students to turn up in maximum numbers to support their cricketing stars and witness action between the two sides. Spectators are required to bring their original CNIC or B-form to enter the stadium and they will be able to watch the action free of cost from any of the VIP enclosures (Imran Khan and Javed Miandad) (for families only) and premium enclosures (Miran Baksh, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat).The free entry policy does not apply for the tickets purchased for the PCB Gallery or Platinum Box. Fans who have already brought tickets for the fourth and fifth days, will get a refund. Tickets bought online will be automatically refunded to the credit/debit card used for purchase. For tickets purchased at Express Centres, the fans are requested to bring their original ticket to the centre to get a refund.Additionally, to further facilitate the fans, a free shuttle bus service will continue to operate on two routes on matchdays for ease of access into the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for spectators. Route 1 will run from Aviation Ground, Rawal Road, Murree Road to Allama Iqbal Park Entrance Gate while the Route 2 will go from Government Satellite Town College for Boys, 6th Road, Murree Road to Allama Iqbal Park Entrance Gate.