Sports Bulletin ReportLondon (UK): England Women have confirmed a 16-player squad to take on New Zealand in the Vitality IT20 series next month. Opener Sophia Dunkley is recalled to an otherwise unchanged group from those who sealed a T20 series victory against Pakistan in May.Southern Vipers’ Freya Kemp will be available as an all-rounder during the series after being named as a batter against Pakistan. The two sides begin the IT20 series in Southampton (6 July) before matches in Hove (9 July) and Canterbury (11 July), finishing with two London fixtures at the Kia Oval and Lord's on 13 and 17 July respectively. This series follows three ODIs against the same opposition at Durham (26 June) Worcester (30 June) and Bristol (3 July).Head coach Jon Lewis said: “This five-match series against a strong New Zealand side is really important for us and also vital preparation as we build towards the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. We are pleased to welcome Freya Kemp back as an all-rounder and we will hopefully see her bowl across this series as she returns from injury. Sophia Dunkley comes back into the squad after showing good form at regional level, she has earned the right to be in this squad. Mahika Gaur is not available to play due to a small side strain. We will look to have her in and around the squad preparing to return to play.”England Women T20 squad: Heather Knight (Captain-Western Storm), Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers), Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers), Alice ⁠Capsey (South East Stars), Charlie ⁠Dean (Southern Vipers), Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars), Sophie ⁠Ecclestone (Thunder), Lauren Filer (Western Storm), Danielle Gibson (Western Storm), Sarah Glenn (The Blaze), ⁠Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds), Amy ⁠Jones (Central Sparks), Freya ⁠Kemp (Southern Vipers), Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze), Linsey Smith (Southern Vipers), Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)Women’s IT20 Series (schedule):6 July: 1st Women’s IT20 – The Ageas Bowl, Southampton9 July: 2nd Women’s IT20 – The 1st Central County Ground, Hove11 July: 3rd Women’s IT20 – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence13 July: 4th Women’s IT20 – The Kia Oval, London17 July: 5th Women’s IT20 – Lord’s, London

Nairobi (Kenya): The Pakistan Blind Women's Goalball Team has commenced their historic tour of Kenya with a resounding victory, defeating the host Kenyan team 10-4 in the first match of the series. Captain Karn Rafeeq led the team with an impressive nine goals, while Ramsha Ajmal scored one goal. Syeda Farwa Ali showcased exceptional defensive skills, repelling all attacks from the opposing team.The Principal Sports Officer of Kenya's Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Margaret Gati, attended the match and met with both teams, praising the blind players' efforts and highlighting the Kenyan government's initiatives to support visually impaired athletes. The series is expected to be highly competitive, with both teams eager to showcase their skills. (PR)  

Sports Bulletin ReportAmsterdam (Holland): The final stage of the FIH Pro League 2023/24 season is about to get underway in the Netherlands with matches to be played in Utrecht and Amsterdam from 22 to 30 June. Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain will all be in action in the men's and women's competitions, with both titles still up for grabs.Netherlands currently stand at the top of women's standings with 36 points having won all 12 games so far this season. With 4 games left in the season, Netherlands hold an 8-point lead over Germany in third place, and the Danas could halt the Dutch title charge but will require other teams to take points off the hosts as well. Argentina, who finished their campaign earlier during the Antwerp stage, are second with 34 points from 16 games. Belgium and Great Britain, on 19 and 14 points respectively are out of contention for the title, but will still aim to hit their strides fully, with the Olympic Games just a month away.In the men's competition, Australia, who finished their campaign on 34 points are currently in pole position for their second title. But Netherlands with 26 points and Great Britain with 22 points are also in contention with 4 games in hand. Germany and Belgium can't mathematically catch up to the Kookaburras as they sit on 19 points from 12 games, with 31 points being the maximum either of them can reach if they win all their remaining 4 games.Schedule (Women's):22 June, 16:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Germany24 June, 15:00 (Local Time) Great Britain vs Germany24 June 20:30 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Belgium25 June 17:30 (Local Time) Great Britain vs Belgium27 June 14:00 (Local Time) Germany vs Great Britain28 June 19:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Belgium29 June 16:30 (Local Time) Belgium vs Great Britain29 June 19:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs GermanySchedule (Men's):23 June, 13:30 (Local Time) Great Britain vs Belgium23 June, 16:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Germany24 June 17:30 (Local Time) Germany vs Great Britain 25 June 20:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Belgium27 June 16:30 (Local Time) Great Britain vs Belgium27 June 19:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Germany28 June 16:30 (Local Time) Germany vs Great Britain30 June 15:00 (Local Time) Netherlands vs Belgium.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: South Africa trounced United States of America (USA) by 18 runs in the opening fixture of the Super-8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, North Sound in Antigua West Indies on Wednesday.Despite a power-packed partnership between Andries Gous (80*) and Harmeet Singh (38) the United States fell 18 runs short of the 194 posted by South Africa in Antigua during the Group 2 Super-8 T20 World Cup match. For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers, snapping three wickets in his quota of four overs.Powered by Quinton de Kock (74) and Aiden Markram (46), South Africa posted 194/4 after 20 overs against USA. For the co-hosts, Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh struck twice. Earlier, United States won the toss and opted to bowl against South Africa.South Africa XI: Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi; United States XI: Shayan Jahangir, Steven Taylor, Andries Gous(w), Aaron Jones(c), Nitish Kumar, Corey Anderson, Harmeet Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Rising tennis star, Mikaeel Ali Baig has won the title of the prestigious US Tennis Association Junior Tennis titles, as he became the 2024 USTA Florida Bobby Curtis Junior State Boys U14 Champion. The tournament took place from June 15-18 at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida. Bobby Curtis is an elite tournament, which was won previously by several professionals when they were juniors. Former “Bobby Curtis” champs, who have gone on to rank World No. 1 in on the ATP, and WTA rankings are Chris Evert, Jennifer Capriati, Jim Courier, Andy Roddick, and many more.  

Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Chris Gaffaney and Richard Kettleborough will be the on-field umpires for the USA’s historic first-ever knockout match at an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which takes place against South Africa on June 19.The co-hosts qualified in second place from Group A, in part thanks to a magnificent Super Over victory against Pakistan, and will now take on the Proteas as well as England and fellow co-hosts West Indies in Group 2 of the Super 8s.Joel Wilson will be the TV Umpire for USA against South Africa, while he will also stand as on-field umpire alongside Gaffaney when the American team take on England in Barbados on June 23. Allahudien Paleker, who is making his senior men’s tournament debut in this competition, will act as the fourth umpire.The same day will see Kettleborough return to the middle for the seismic Group 1 clash between Australia and India alongside compatriot Richard Illingworth.Illingworth and Michael Gough will oversee Australia’s Super 8s opener against Bangladesh, while Nitin Menon and Ahsan Raza are the on-field umpires for England’s meeting with the West Indies.Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, making history in this competition as the first Bangladeshi official at an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, is the TV Umpire for that one, and will act as on-field umpire alongside Chris Brown for England’s second Group 2 game against South Africa.Of the match referees, Jeff Crowe – who has overseen more T20Is than anyone else – will be in the chair for England’s clashes with the West Indies and South Africa as well as Australia against India.Super 8s – Match Official appointmentsJune 19: USA v South Africa (Antigua)Referee: Ranjan MadugalleOn-field Umpires: Chris Gaffaney and Richard KettleboroughTV Umpire: Joel WilsonFourth Umpire: Langton RusereJune 19: England v West Indies (St Lucia)Referee: Jeff CroweOn-field Umpires: Nitin Menon and Ahsan RazaTV Umpire: Sharfuddoula Ibne ShahidFourth Umpire: Chris BrownJune 20: Afghanistan v India (Barbados)Referee: David BoonOn-field Umpires: Rodney Tucker and Paul ReiffelTV Umpire: Allahudien PalekerFourth Umpire: Alex WharfJune 20: Australia v Bangladesh (Antigua)Referee: Richie RichardsonOn-field Umpires: Richard Illingworth and Michael GoughTV Umpire: Kumar DharmasenaFourth Umpire: Adrian HolstockJune 21: England v South Africa (St Lucia)Referee: Jeff CroweOn-field Umpires: Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Chris BrownTV Umpire: Joel WilsonFourth Umpire: Chris GaffaneyJune 21: USA v West Indies (Barbados)Referee: David BoonOn-field Umpires: Paul Reiffel and Allahuddien PalekerTV Umpire: Rodney TuckerFourth Umpire: Alex WharfJune 22: India v Bangladesh (Antigua)Referee: Ranjan MadugalleOn-field Umpires: Michael Gough and Adrian HoldstockTV Umpire: Langton RusereFourth Umpire: Richard KettleboroughJune 22: Afghanistan v Australia (St Vincent)Referee: Richie RichardsonOn-field Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena and Ahsan RazaTV Umpire: Richard IllingworthFourth Umpire: Nitin MenonJune 23: USA v England (Barbados)Referee: David BoonOn-field Umpires: Chris Gaffaney and Joel WilsonTV Umpire: Paul ReiffelFourth Umpire: Allahudien PalekerJune 23: West Indies v South Africa (Antigua)Referee: Ranjan MadugalleOn-field Umpires: Rodney Tucker and Alex WharfTV Umpire: Chris BrownFourth Umpire: Sharfuddoula Ibne ShahidJune 24: Australia v India (St Lucia)Referee: Jeff CroweOn-field Umpires: Richard Kettleborough and Richard IllingworthTV Umpire: Michael GoughFourth Umpire: Kumar DharmasenaJune 24: Afghanistan v Bangladesh (St Vincent)Referee: Richie RichardsonOn-field Umpires: Langton Rusere and Nitin MenonTV Umpire: Adrian HoldstockFourth Umpire: Ahsan Raza.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: A four-member Pakistan judo team, in collaboration with the Pakistan Sports Board, will depart for Kazan, Russia, on Monday to participate in the ongoing BRICS Games 2024.The prestigious sports event will feature three days of judo contests, commencing on Thursday in Kazan, Russia.Colonel Junaid Alam, President of the Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF), has instructed the national judokas to compete with their full potential. He expressed optimism that the judokas would deliver outstanding performances at this mega event.The Pakistan judo team comprised Hamid Ali (South Asian Games Gold Medalist), Sabir Shah (National Games Gold Medalist), Mueen Aslam (National Games Gold), and Afzal Bashir (Coach). 

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Medical Panel comprising Prof Rana Dilawaiz Nadeem, Dr. Mumraiz Naqshband and Prof Javed Akram has updated about the injury of five national players.Arshad Iqbal, the right-arm fast bowler who is recovering from an ankle injury, has been referred to for consultation at ASPETAR in Qatar, a renowned orthopedic and sports medicine hospital. After Eid Al Adha holidays, the PCB will book his appointment and make necessary travel arrangementsIhsanullah, the right-arm fast bowler who is recovering from a right elbow injury, commenced his initial rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and will continue the process in his hometown in Swat under the supervision of a PCB Medical Panel approved physiotherapistMohammad Wasim Junior, the right-arm fast bowler who sustained a back injury during a domestic tournament, has been undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA. Following Eid Al Adha holidays, he will return to resume his rehabilitation at the NCAShawaal Zulfiqar, the right-handed opening batter who sustained a shoulder injury during Pakistan women’s team tour to New Zealand in December 2023, underwent shoulder surgery in Islamabad last month. Her stitches were removed on 11 June. Doctors will further assess her case later this monthZeeshan Zameer, the right-arm fast bowler who sustained an ankle injury, will undergo surgery in Qatar next week. The decision was made by ASPETAR earlier this month after examining the cricketer and reviewing his medical reports. Following surgery, Zeeshan may stay in Qatar to complete his rehabilitation.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 has approved Hazratullah Zazai as a replacement for Mujeeb ur Rahman in the Afghanistan squad.Hazratullah, who has played 43 T20Is, was named as a replacement after Mujeeb was ruled out due to an injury to his right index finger.The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 consists of Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager – Cricket), Chris Tetley (ICC Head of Events), Johnny Grave (CEO, Cricket West Indies) and Kass Naidoo (Independent Representative). 

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: The London stage of the FIH Hockey Pro League drew to a close with Australia’s men wrapping up their campaign with a 5-1 drubbing of Great Britain while the Hockeyroos also got the better of the home side.(Women’s) China beat Germany (3-1): China’s campaign came to an end with a stunning 3-1 win over Germany, taking them clear of Australia in fourth place in the standings for now and severely denting any hopes Germany have of catching the Netherlands in top spot. The match kicked off with a tight midfield battle, China setting their defensive structure early and the Germans wary of the threat posed by their counterattack. There were opportunities at both ends and only a 27th-minute field goal from China’s Zhang Ying separated the teams at half time.The second half belonged to China, and they started by putting the German circle under siege in the opening minutes. Germany survived the onslaught and Lilly Stoffelsma equalised for them with a difficult deflection in the 37th minute. Chen Yi regained the lead for China with a well-executed slip under the shoulder from a crowded p-spot, and she completed the scoring with a penalty stroke in the final minute.(Women’s) Australi beat Great Britain (3-2): Lara Roper celebrated her 350th international cap in a losing cause as a clinical Australia wrapped up their tournament with a 3-2 win over hosts Great Britain. GB had a productive first quarter and Grace Balsdon fired them in front with an early drag flick. But Australia responded brilliantly to dominate the second quarter, their aggressive press giving them regular attacking opportunities as they forced GB into a high rate of turnovers. Grace Stewart equalised with a field goal, and a Brooke Peris penalty corner deflection in the 30th minute gave them a well-deserved lead at half time.The Hockeyroos kept up the pressure into the third quarter, but GB stuck to their task well and Tessa Howard levelled matters with a diving penalty corner deflection in the 39th minute. The home side carried good momentum into the fourth quarter and had the Australians on the back foot for a while, but they failed to take advantage and Rosie Malone snatched the win for the Aussies with a penalty corner deflection with eight minutes remaining.(Men’s) Spain beat Germany (4-2): Spain signed off on a high with a convincing 4-2 win over a weary-looking Germany. The Red Sticks started with tremendous energy and were rewarded from a Marc Miralles drag flick in the 9th minute. Germany had a brief spell at the beginning of the second quarter where they picked up their pace and Gonzalo Peillat levelled the scores with a drag flick, but their energy tapered off quickly. Spain then restored their lead just before half time, intercepting a poor pass in midfield and releasing Marc Reyne for the goal.The Spanish extended their lead in the third quarter when Alvaro Iglesias pounced after Germany failed to control a bouncing ball in their circle. Reyne then rounded off some superb Spanish passing for a field goal in the 48th minute, and although Germany finished strongly for Raphael Hartkopf to score from a tap-in, it was too little too late.(Men’s) Australia beat Great Britain (5-1): Australia concluded their tournament with a convincing 5-1 win over hosts Great Britain in an energetic and physical clash. The match started at a blistering pace with GB creating a half chance, Jake Whetton blasting Australia ahead, and Lee Morton equalising for GB, all within the first two minutes. The Kookaburras then took control for long periods and Jack Welch reclaimed the lead with a 29th-minute drag flick.The Aussies never let up in the second half and Ky Willott gave them a two-goal cushion with his 35th-minute drag flick. Tom Craig scrambled another over the line as the third quarter ran down, and Willott finished the scoring with a fantastic team goal in the 51st minute. Australia currently sit top of the standings and are guaranteed of at least third place, but their focus now will be on getting home to finish their preparations for Paris.