Sports Bulletin Report LONDON:-Rob Key has been confirmed as the new Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket. Following a rigorous recruitment process, the former England international will take up the role immediately. Key will also relinquish his current role with Sky Sports. Key will be responsible for the strategy behind the England Men’s cricket teams and the performance pathways leading into them. He will also take a key role as part of the High Performance Review which will begin shortly. Prior to the appointment, Sir Andrew Strauss had undertaken the role on an interim basis following Ashley Giles’ departure in February after three years. A former England cricketer and Kent captain, Key is a hugely respected figure in the game. Key played 21 times for England across all three formats including making a Test double hundred against the West Indies at Lord’s in 2004 which led to him being named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2005. During a playing career that spanned three decades (1998-2015), Key amassed over 28,000 runs with 60 centuries. He captained Kent twice from 2006-2012 and then again from 2014-15. During his time as captain the side won the County Championship 2nd Division title in 2010 and reached three white ball domestic finals. He was also part of the England side who won the Under-19 World Cup for the first and only time in 1998. After announcing his retirement in 2016, Key became a successful commentator for Sky Sports alongside writing a regular column for the Evening Standard. He has remained involved in the administration side of the game and has previously sat on the ECB’s Performance Cricket Committee. Rob Key said, “It is an absolute honour to take up this role. The chance to have an impact and make a difference is an opportunity given to very few and I will give it everything I have to try shape the next great era of English Men’s cricket. “I have absolutely loved my time at Sky and I could never have imagined leaving were it not for this incredible opportunity. I’d like to personally thank Bryan Henderson and everyone in the team for their help and support. “Although at this current moment it has been a challenging time in English cricket, I also think it’s as exciting a time as I can remember. With two of our teams near or at the top of the world rankings and an undoubted amount of talent in our game, I hope to try and bring everyone along for the ride so we can all help take English Men’s cricket to new heights across all formats.” Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer said, “Following a thorough recruitment process, Rob stood out in a very competitive field. His passion and knowledge of the game at domestic and international level is outstanding. He is a proven leader and combines an approachable nature with fresh original thinking and resilience which will stand him in good stead. He will bring a lot to the role and I am sure players and staff alike will enjoy working with Rob. I have no doubt he will relish the challenge before us.” “I’d like to thank Andrew for agreeing to step back into the role on an interim basis. To have someone of his experience and skillset during the transition and recruitment process was invaluable. He remains a huge asset to English and Welsh Cricket.”

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD:-Islamabad: Team BN Polo clinched the title of the Islamabad Gladiators Polo Trophy 2022 after outlasting Kalabagh / Shahtaj by 7-3 in the main final played here at the Islamabad Club Polo Ground on Sunday. Foreign player Eulogio emerged as hero of the final as he was in great form and exhibited excellent mallet and horse work and contributed with fabulous four goals while he was ably assisted and supported by his teammates as the entire team played with unity and their team work steered them to a title triumph. The other key contributors from the winning side were Ahmed Ali Tiwana and Baber Naseem, who converted two and one goal respectively. Team Kalabagh / Shahtaj, which played superbly throughout the tournament and recorded very convincing victories before reaching the main final, couldn't resist the pace and venom of Team BN Polo, losing the main final by 3-7. Foreign player Guy Gibrat succeeded in converting two goals while the remaining one was slammed in by Asfandyar Khan. Speaking on the occasion, player of the final Eulogio said: "Our team worked really hard and played like a unit that helped us win the final and prestigious title. Last week, we played the subsidiary final and won it. We are committed to continue our good show in upcoming events and try to win more for our team. I am also very pleased to come and play at Islamabad Club Polo Ground, which is one of the best polo grounds of the world."

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-Argentina took down their North American rivals, the United States, 3-1 in the first of their two match-ups in Buenos Aires. Valentina Costa’s penalty corner double earned her Player of the Match in a game that marked the 100th international for Victoria Sauze. Danielle Grega scored the USA’s opening goal, also her team’s first in the Pro League. Argentina beat United States (women) 3-1 A familiar Pan American rivalry match up ended with Argentina grabbing another three points after a 3-1 win over the United States. The score line didn’t reflect the superb performance from the young USA team who were up 1-0 heading into half time. The game did mark big milestones for Victoria Sauze who played her 100th international, while stalwart keeper Belen Succi exited the pitch in the final seven seconds of the game with a standing ovation for her performance, worthy of her 255th appearance. For the USA, the recent return of Ashley Hoffman paid dividends for the composed back line, while the offensive return of Erin Matson, who didn’t compete in the FIH Pro League games in Holland, was key. At the break the USA wanted to continue their good work in the opening half but the Leonas overcame the discomfort of trailing by a goal. In the 34th minute Valentina Costa’s penalty corner flick beat the out-stretched left foot of USA keeper Kelsey Bing to draw the game level. Less than a minute later Argentina were back at the top of the circle. This time Maria Jose Granatto delivered from the top but the ball rebounded out. Attempts from Eugenia Trinchinetti and Delfina Merino couldn’t beat the crowd of USA defenders but Rocio Sanchez was able to find a way through to bring the Leonas ahead 2-1. The United States had back-to-back penalty corners in the fourth quarter but an untidy execution denied them any quality shots. Argentina nearly pulled ahead again through Sanchez. The ball beat Bing but Jacqueline Sumfest was there to calmly clear the ball from the goal line. With seven seconds to go the Leonas had another penalty corner and this time Costa unleashed a flick high over the shoulder of Bing to seal Argentina’s fifth FIH Pro League victory. Argentina’s finish in the circle was all that stood between the two teams as the USA put on a valiant performance in both ends of the field. Argentina move to third in the standings with 15 points and a perfect 5-0-0 record. Argentina beat France (men) 4-2 Argentina scored three goals late in the game to climb their way back from a 2-1 deficit against France and win 4-2. Los Leones opened with a penalty corner in the third minute and Tobias Martins buried the rebound after Federico Fernandez’s flick was saved. France had their early chances with a penalty corner in the eighth minute but Timothée Clément’s back-hand was denied by a charging Matias Rey. Early in the second quarter Clément had a penalty corner flick booked for the bottom corner but the ball ricocheted off Nicolas Cicileo’s foot on the line and a penalty stroke was awarded. Etienne Tynevez perfectly executed from the spot, finding the top corner, stick side on Emiliano Bosso, to bring France level. Les Bleus continued to make tough work for Los Leones with Eliot Curty’s long aerials stretching the Argentine defence. Before half time Argentina had a chance to pull ahead as they couldn’t convert on two penalty corner rebounds. Rey had the final blast but it deflected high over the net. The teams traded opportunities in the second half. Clement had a drag flick denied by the stingy Argentine penalty corner defensive unit. Then, Viktor Lockwood sent a hard ball across the Argentine circle and the ball deflected high and to the back post. Antonin Igau, in world-class fashion, knocked the ball from over his head, down and in to bring France ahead 2-1. France keeper Arthur Thieffry gave up a penalty corner late in the fourth quarter giving Tomas Domene a chance to strike from the top. Thieffry got a foot on Domene’s low delivery but the ball ricocheted into the net to bring the game to 2-2. Minutes later Argentina showed their strides in a brilliant counter-attack that allowed Nicolas Acosta to pick up the ball deep in France territory. Acosta drew the penalty corner that was finished by Lautaro Ferrero to give Argentina the 3-2 relief. France felt the pressure as Thieffry was called on big to deny a shot from Joaquin Leonel Coelho and then a diving effort from Agustin Mazzilli. Tobias Martins was there to tidy up the rebound and double Argentina’s lead, 4-2.

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD:-Team Asean edged out PAF/Jubilee Life Insurance by a narrow margin of 7-6 to win the subsidiary final of the Islamabad Gladiators Polo Trophy 2022 here at the Islamabad Club Polo Ground on Saturday. The thrilling match saw both the teams, Asean and PAF/Jubilee Life Insurance, matching fire-with-fire till the end and when the final whistle after the fourth chukker was blown, the match was tied at 6-6. It was then decided in the fifth (sudden death) chukker, where Haider Asad hammered the match-winning goal to steer Team Asean to a nail-biting 7-6 victory.  With his significant contribution of three tremendous goals, Haider Asad emerged as hero of the match. He was superb with mallet and polo pony and kept on attacking the opponents’ goals that helped him shine and thrash in three goals. His teammates Bauti Fenell and Raja Jalal Arslan also played out their hearts and banged in a brace each.  The players of PAF/Jubilee Life Insurance also gave tough competition to the winning side as all of them showed their class throughout the crucial match and succeeded in converting superb six goals. Hamza Mawaz Khan was in sublime form as he fired in four fantastic goals while sensational Syed Aun Muhammad Rizvi thrashed in two goals but their excellent efforts were futile as they couldn’t finish the match well in the sudden death chukker, thus losing the subsidiary final by just a one-goal margin of 6-7.  On Sunday, the main final of the Islamabad Gladiators Polo Trophy 2022 will be played between Team BN Polo and Kalabagh/Shahtaj at 4:30 pm. Team BN Polo consists of Haider Naseem, Baber Naseem, Ahmed Ali Tiwana and Eulogio while Team Kalabagh/Shahtaj includes Sheikh Adil Waheed, Asfandyar Khan, Raja Temur Nadeem and Guy Gibrat.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-President, Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) Major General (Retd) Mohammad Akram Sahi visited the national athletics training camp at Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Coaching Center Lahore. The camp is organized for 90 days in the collaboration with PSB aiming to train the national players for upcoming international events including 14th South Asian Games, which will be taken place in Pakistan next year 2023. According to an official of AFP, Sixty (60) national athletes (male) and coaches from all affiliated units of the federation are attending the training camp which has been organized to prepare national Athletes for the forthcoming 14th South Asian Games and other international athletics fixtures. Rana Nasrullah Director PSB is the camp commandant and he is supervising athlete training activities being implemented by the camp coaches.  Major General (Retd) Mohammad Akram Sahi, President AFP, who is also Vice President Asian Athletics Association and Chairman South Asian Athletics Federation, visited the camp facility and analyzed the different aspects of this preparatory athletics camp. He appreciated the newly renovated facilities and balanced diet being served to the participants. He advised the athletes and coaches to adopt training techniques based upon scientific research, as this method would produce the desired results. President AFP cautioned the athletes and coaches to avoid the use of performance enhancing drugs which is unlawful and punishable under AFP and WADA laws. He stated that these illegal drugs are detrimental for human health and cause irreversible damage to athletes who use them. It is unfortunate that recently athletes from other national Federations were caught and banned by WADA for doping. It was also decided that National trials for all athletics events will be held on 26-27 April 2022 at Punjab Stadium, Lahore. The purpose of trails is to select the athletes for upcoming international athletics events including 2nd Imam Reza Cup Tournament, which is scheduled from May 29-30, 2022 at Mashhad, Iran.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-As many as 16 teams will take part in the Inter-Club Basketball Tournament that will be kicked off from Sunday (April 17, 2022) at Multipurpose Sports Center F-6 Islamabad regarding the Ramadan Sports Festival under the banner of Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Municipal Corporation Islamabad (MCI) in the collaboration with Federal Basketball Association (FBA). According to secretary FBA Ouj-e-Zahoor, 16 teams will fight for top honour during the 5-day fixture, as 16 teams have been divided into four pools while top two from each group will move into next round. President FBA, Ejaz Rafi Butt will be chief guest at the opening ceremony. Also top officials of CDA, MCI and FBA will attend the opening ceremony. Teams' Pools: Pool (A): Bulls, Timber Wolves, Jaguars, Rawal Champ Pool (B): Raptors Red, Reapers, Dynamites, Lycans Pool (C): United Kings, Thunders, Raptors White, Bahria Wolves Pool (D): SA Gardner, Generals, Dementors, Ball Magicians     Schedule of Day-1 fixtures: United Kings vs Thunders Jaguars vs Rawal Champ SA Gardener vs Ball Magicians Raptors Red vs Dynamites Bulls vs Timber Wolves Raptors vs Bahria Wolves

BIPIN DANI Former Nepal captain Gyanendra Malla received the highest civilian award in his country. The 31-year-old top order right-hand batter received this "Prabal Janasewa Shree Award from Government of Nepal this week. Speaking exclusively over the telephone, he said, "I would like to thank the Nepal Government for honoring me with this award. I am feeling really proud and honored". "It's always a great feeling that the Government puts value and recognizes my effort and contribution for Nepal as a cricketer for more than 17 years with the highest civilian award". "This is one of the biggest achievements of my life. Proudest moment for me and my family", he added. Paras Khadka, Somnath Kami were among the other cricketer-recipients of this award in the past. Sandeep Lamichhane had recently replaced Gyanendra Malla as Nepal captain.

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lausanne, Switzerland: India ended their home stint in perfect fashion taking all 6 points available from the two games against Germany. It was a different script from the game last night as Germany learned from their performance last night and limited India’s penalty corner attempts to just 3 all game. But it was the Indian youngsters who also lifted their game, with young Sukhjeet and Abhishek scoring a goal apiece from the field, to go with a Varun Kumar drag flick goal from a penalty corner, that gave India enough of a lead to see out the game without too much discomfort. Before the match started India’s coach Graham Reid said he was pleased with the result last night but the team would not be taking their opponents lightly as they viewed the final two games of their home leg as a semi-final and a final, so we would not see them take it easy against their relatively less experienced opponents. German coach Andre Henning was also pleased with his young team's performance last game as they created opportunities and hung around in the contest until the final quarter and hoped his team would convert any chances that fell their way today. Both teams played out the game as per their coaches’ instructions, with India trying to impose their will early, while the Germans played more aggressively, harrying the Indian midfield, that was largely untroubled in the first game. India still managed to create early chances, primarily through some great work by Manpreet, where twice he worked his way into the German circle and his pass only needed a touch to open the scoring for India. But Akashdeep and Sukhjeet both couldn’t get their sticks to the crosses and the teams went into the quarter break tied at 0-0. India came out stronger in the 2nd quarter, much as they did last evening after a goalless first fifteen. They threatened to open the scoring through Moirangthem who found acres of space on the right side of the circle after some good switch play by India caught Germany out, but his shot/cross deflected out off a German stick before it could threaten the German keeper. India finally made the pressure pay though, as a long corner saw some great work by a combination of Hardik, Manpreet and Nilakanta. Nilakanta then sent a fast pass towards the goal and Sukhjit smartly got ahead of Danneberg to deflect the ball in. Germany started to get on the front foot towards the end of the first half, but they could only muster one shot on target, that did not trouble Krishan Pathak too much, and he saved to maintain India’s lead heading into the second half. Graham Reid once again spoke at half time about missed opportunities and wanted his team to convert more of the chances they were creating, and his team didn’t let him down. 10 minutes into the 3rd quarter Lalit showed great skill to run into the German circle and baited the German defence into fouling him, winning India their first penalty corner of the game. It was Varun Kumar who took on the corner instead of Harmanpreet, and he showcased the depth India has in that department by blasting a low flick to the left bottom corner of the goal, giving India the 2-goal cushion they desperately desired. Germany were not quick to give-in though, and a great run into the Indian circle from the left baseline by Smith, forced Sreejesh to come charging out and Smith reversed the ball to Boeckel who had an empty goal to slot the ball into, right at the end of the 3rd quarter, setting up a wonderful finish to the game. India retreated a bit in the 4th quarter allowing Germany to commit numbers into attack. The strategy worked wonders for them as it opened up space behind the tight German mid-field and the dangerous Indian counter attacks started catching the German defenders out. India finally managed to convert one of their counter attacks into a goal as a long pass by Harmanpreet found the lively Abhishek at the top of the German circle, and his quick reverse hit was strong and perfectly placed into the corner of the German goal, leaving the otherwise excellent keeper Danneberg with no chance of stopping it. India finished off the last 5 minutes of the game with minimum fuss, except for one penalty corner that was won by the tireless German captain Zwicker. Krishan Pathak pulled off a stunning save on the resulting flick to keep India’s two goal lead intact and allowed them to play the final 2 minutes out with relative ease. The win gives India a 10-point lead at the top of the table, but as coach Reid pointed out before the game, India have played more matches than any other team, so the points buffer at the top is something they wanted to increase with this game and have successfully managed it with 6 points out of 6 taken against Germany.

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD:-Team BN Polo have qualified for the main final of the Islamabad Gladiators Polo Trophy 2022 after outsmarting Kalabagh by 12-4 in a match played here at the Islamabad Club Polo Ground on Friday. Now the main final will be contested on Sunday and Team BN Polo will clash against Kalabagh/Shahtaj for the main title while the subsidiary final will be played tomorrow (Saturday) between Team Asean and PAF/Jubilee Life Insurance at the Islamabad Club Polo Ground.  On Friday, the crucial match was played between Team BN Polo and Team Kalabagh, which proved a one-sided affair as the former dominated the entire match and didn’t allow their opponents to score more goals, thus winning the encounter with a good margin of 12-4.  Foreign player Eulogio played key role in BN Polo’s triumph as he showed his class and level throughout the match and amused the spectators with his excellent mallet and pony work and hammered superb seven goals. His teammates Baber Naseem and Ahmed Ali Tiwana also did magic with mallet and contributed with two tremendous goals while Haider Naseem also converted one for the winning side.  Team Kalabagh also displayed quality polo but they couldn’t match the pace and venom of Team BN Polo and conceded so many goals, thus losing the encounter with a huge margin of 4-12. Maisam Baloch and Malik Salaar were the only players from the losing side, who converted one goal each while they also had two goals handicap advantage.  The enthralling and exciting match was witnessed and enjoyed by a good number of polo lovers, Islamabad Club officials, polo players and their families. Now the subsidiary final and main final will be played on Saturday (April 16) and Sunday (April 17) that will surely be very tough and challenging ones and the team, which will play better play on the given day, succeed in earning the honours. 

Sports Bulletin Report LONDON:-Joe Root has today stepped down as England Men's Test Captain. Root holds the record for the most number of matches and wins as England Men's Test Captain. His 27 victories put him ahead of Michael Vaughan (26), Sir Alastair Cook, and Sir Andrew Strauss (24 each). After being appointed as Sir Alastair Cook's successor in 2017, Root led the side to a number of famous series victories, including a 4-1 home series win over India in 2018 and a 3-1 triumph away to South Africa in 2020. In 2018 he became the first England Men's Captain to win a Test series in Sri Lanka since 2001, a feat he went on to repeat with a 2-0 victory in Sri Lanka in 2021. He is already England’s second highest Test run scorer of all time behind only Cook and scored 14 centuries as Captain. His tally of 5,295 runs as skipper is the highest by any England Captain and puts him 5th in the all-time list behind only Graeme Smith, Alan Border, Ricky Ponting and Virat Kohli. Joe Root, said: “After returning from the Caribbean tour and having time to reflect, I have decided to step down as England Men’s Test Captain. It has been the most challenging decision I have had to make in my career but having discussed this with my family and those closest to me; I know the timing is right. "I am immensely proud to have captained my country and will look back on the past five years with enormous pride. It has been an honour to have done the job and to have been a custodian of what is the pinnacle of English cricket. "I have loved leading my country, but recently it's hit home how much of a toll it has taken on me and the impact it has had on me away from the game. "I want to take this opportunity to thank my family, Carrie, Alfred and Bella, who have lived it all with me and been incredible pillars of love and support throughout. I thanked all of the players, coaches and supporting staff that helped me during my tenure. It has been a great privilege to have been with them on this journey. "I would also like to thank all the England supporters for their unwavering support. We are lucky to have the best fans in the world, and wherever we play, that positivity is something we always cherish and admire, which is a huge drive for all of us out there. "I am excited to continue representing the Three Lions and producing performances that will enable the team to succeed. I look forward to helping the next Captain, my teammates and coaches in whatever way I can." Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer said: “Joe has been an exceptional role model during his tenure, balancing the demands of Test captaincy whilst continuing to shine brilliantly through his own personal performances. He has led by example, and that has resulted in more Men's Test wins than any other England Captain, alongside a number of famous series home and away victories. “Joe’s leadership qualities were exemplified by how he led the team through some of the most difficult and uncertain times we have known, playing during the pandemic all over the world, which speaks volumes for him as a leader and as a person. “I know that every single person who has played or worked under Joe’s captaincy will speak of his integrity and humility as a person, as much as his determination and example as a leader. “Off the field, Joe has been no different. It has been a privilege and a huge pleasure to have worked with him in his capacity as our Men's Test Captain, and I know he’ll continue to drive English cricket forward as a senior player, offering his wealth of experience and advice to support his successor.”