Ali Ahmed LAHORE:-Pakistan and Australia cricket boards have mutually agreed to shift white-ball matches from Rawalpindi to Lahore on the dates as announced previously. The decision was made on Saturday morning following discussions between the two boards. This means the headquarters of Pakistan cricket will host the 29 March, 31 March and 2 April One-Day Internationals as well as the one-off Twenty20 International on 5 April at the back of the third Test, which commences on 21 March. The 50-over matches will start at 1500 local time, while the first ball in the 20-over match will be bowled at 2030 local time. Australia’s white-ball players, as originally planned, will arrive in Lahore on 24 March and after one-day room isolation, will integrate with other members of their side. Pakistan’s white-ball players are scheduled to assemble on 22 March and will resume training on 25 March. The ODIs are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. Top seven-placed sides from this event plus ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 hosts India will qualify directly for the pinnacle 50-over competition, which will be staged next year in October/November. Australia are presently seventh and Pakistan ninth in the 13-team event, but a lot of 50-over cricket still needs to be played. Squads: Australia (ODI & T20I) - Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa Pakistan (ODI) – Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-Ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir Pakistan (T20I) – Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir    

Sports Bulletin Report BHUBANESAR (India):-A closely-matched encounter between two entertaining teams saw Argentina take the bonus point after the visiting side was more clinical in the shoot-out than their India hosts. During the match, the momentum swung from one team to the other in this fast-paced and sometimes tense match at Kalinga Hockey Stadium Bhubaneswar, India. India 2-2 Argentina (men) (Argentina won shoot-out 3-1): The match between two of the most technically skilled teams in the world was an intriguing encounter that saw Argentina unusually dominate possession in the opening half. Los Leones are often on the losing side of possession stats, preferring to score on a swift counter. In the Kalinga Stadium, however, it was the men in blue and white who started the stronger and put India under a lot of pressure in the opening quarter. Martin Ferreiro came the closest to opening the scoring but his sharply taken shot was well saved by Krishnan Pathak in the India goal. The second quarter saw India move into a higher gear and create their own chances, including four penalty corner attempts. However, with Harmanpreet sitting on 98 goals for his country and seeking to reach a century of goals, the penalty corner striker was unable to turn India’s first three penalty corners into goals. Jugraj took the fourth penalty corner but his shot scuffed the surface and was cleared easily. PR Sreejesh replaced Pathak in India’s goal and was quickly called into action when he smartly cleared the ball after Harmanpreet was caught in possession in his defensive quarter. Argentina were reduced to 10 players after Nicolas Keenan was shown a yellow card at the end of the second half. After his half-time team talk, India Head Coach Graham Reid said: ‘I was happy with the opportunities we created and we withheld Argentina’s barrage in the first quarter. Now we need to capitalise on our own penalty corner chances.’ As the second half got underway both teams got a little jittery. Passes went astray and possession was lost all too easily. One of the reasons for this is the keen sense of competition between the two sides. Of their last 10 meetings, each side has won four times and there have been two draws. They are also close in the FIH World Rankings with India ranked fourth and Argentina sixth. The breakthrough came when Gurjant Singh scored a poacher’s goal. The ball was crashed forwards by Mandeep Singh and Gurjant was perfectly positioned behind the Argentina defence to tip it past Tomas Santiago in the Argentina goal. India had more chances in the quarter as their swift and precise passing left the Argentina players chasing shadows. However, it was Argentina, against the run of play, who scored the equaliser. Nicolas Acosta’s shot took a deflection and the ball shot past Pathak to bring the scores level. With seven minutes left, Argentina won a penalty corner. Nicolas Keenen injected the ball and Nicolas della Torres played the ball back to Keenan, who lifted it home to give his team the lead. India nearly scored just seconds later as Shilanand hit the ball goalwards and Sukhjeet came tantalisingly close to directing it home, only to see it fly past the post. With India still pressing for a goal, a direct run by Jarmanpreet saw the player felled by an Argentina defender. The ensuing penalty corner was again well run down by Argentina’s number one runner, Thomas Habif. With under 60 seconds left on the clock, India managed to gain possession. A quick break saw the ball fall to Mandeep and he fired home the equaliser. Argentina took the bonus point in the ensuing shoot-out. Keenan, Tomas Domene, Lucas Toscani all scored for Argentina, and Santiago made a fabulous save from Abishek. For India, only Harmanpreet scored his attempt. The Player of the Match was Argentina's Matias Rey (ARG).  The result means India remain in second place in the FIH Pro League behind Netherlands, with Argentina in fourth position, one point behind Germany. FIH Pro League action continues at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on 20 March when India men host their second match against Argentina men. The women's league action continues at the Deutscher Sportklub, Düsseldorf on Tuesday 22 March, when Germany women play host to Spain women. Result: Men's Match 29 India 2, Argentina 2 (Argentina win shoot-out bonus point 3-1) Player of the Match, Matias Rey (ARG) Umpires: Deepak Joshi (IND), Javed Shaikh (IND), Raghu Prasad (IND, Video Umpire)

Aamir Ali Janjua DUBAI (UAE):-Pakistan thrashed traditional rival India by 58 runs in the final of Triangular T-20 Blind Cricket Series at Skyland University Cricket Ground, Sharjah. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first. Nisar Ali and Mohammad Rashid opened the innings for Pakistan and the first wicket fell at the score of 75 runs when Rashid was retired out while Nisar Ali kept the run-rate over 8 runs per over and got out after scoring 70 runs off 51 balls. Badar Munir scored 63 runs off 25 balls. He smashed 5 sixes and 3 boundaries in his innings. Pakistan finished on 216 runs on the board for the loss of 3 wickets in 20 overs. Chasing the target of 217 runs, India lost 3 quick wickets in 2 overs for just 10 runs, thereafter Sunil played a splendid inning of 91 runs but wasn’t enough to take his side home. India made 158 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs. Badar Munir took 3 wickets for Pakistan. Result: Pakistan won by 58 runs Man of the Match: Badar Munir Man of the Series: B1: Riasat Khan (Pakistan) B2: Badar Munir (Pakistan) B3: Sunil Ramesh (India)    

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) Schools PWD and Gulraiz Campuses held a colorful Annual Sports Gala at Jinnah Sports Complex Islamabad. Hundrads of the students and parents participated in different games. Seemabia Tahir Member Punjab Assembly and Spokesperson, Punjab Government was the chief guest at the opening ceremony. Syndicate Member of UET Taxila, Syndicate Member of RWP Women University, Member for board of Governor NAMAL and Member Selection Board UET Taxila were also among the special guests. The Event started with Qiraat from the verses of The Holy Quran and its Translation. Director IIUI Schools Mr Shehzad and Principals from both campuses gave a welcome note. March past of all levels (both branches) was a wonderful show. Students also sung the IIUI & IIUI School anthem and released Balloons in the air on arrival of Chief Guest. Students participated in different races like cow, rabbit, Sheep, lion, Giraffe, frog races in a beautiful getup. Karate display of students from different classes was presented in a beautiful manner. Rally race, sack and cycle race was an event worth seeing. Father's Tug of War and race was also an event able to be appreciated. Chief Guest distributed prizes among the winners of the games including Fathers of the students. While addressing the ceremony Seemabia Tahir said: “I have been extremely pleased to participate in this healthy sports event. It is a great achievement to successfully hold such a mega event. I congratulate Director Mohammad Shehzad, Principals Syeda Sidra Moazzam and Misbah Latif, Vice Principals, all Heads of Departments, faculty and students who all have made excellent contributions towards this event. It was more of a carnival where many sorts of cultural events were displayed. Most of all I congratulate the students who have displayed extreme discipline and competed for different events in a spirit of peaceful co-ordination and amity. The rank and file of varsity all deserves my thanks and hearty congratulations. She again appreciated the performance of the students and added that now-a-days such events are being increasingly recognized as an essential component of one’s life from both the educational and social perspective. It builds confidence, motivation and above all a sportsman’s spirit. Such activities also foster friendship and teamwork among students”. Director Mohammad Shehzad said: It was highly commendable on the part of parents for participating in such an activity, which is imperative to help build the life skills of sportsmanship, outdoor activities and physical fitness. Cultural and Sports activities are indeed a great help to keep our children and communities physically as well as mentally healthy. While talking to the media a student Wania Kashif from Grade-10 said that it was a great day for me to take part in such a healthy activity. Aashir Ahmed Khan from Grade-9 said that he felt very happy at this occasion.  Ibad-ur-Rehman from grade four and Areej Fatima from grade five were also very happy at this occasion and told the media that I desire such types of events to be made a part of the annual calendar of every school.  Hadia, Fizza, Ali Hassan, Faheem and many other students were also very happy and expressed the same feelings. The Gala ended with the National Anthem.

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD:-Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Tennis League started at Islamabad Tennis Complex on Saturday. Around 60 boys and girls from different clubs are participating in the 2-day fixture. Open Singles (Boys), Open Singles (Ladies), Under 12 and Under 16 Boys and Under 12 and Under 16 Girls events have been included in the KPT Tennis League. The event is being conducted on the round robin system and each player will have to play multiple matches to reach in the semifinal and final rounds. Results: Open singles (Boys) Round Robin Matches: Usman Ijaz Bt Azaan 8-1; Jabir Ali Bt Idress 8-1; Qasim Ali Bt Adnan Khan 8-4; Hamza Asim Bt Inam Qadir 8-2; Qasim Ali Bt Abdullah Khan 8-3; Usman Ijaz Bt Haseeb Inayat 8-1; Jabir Ali Bt Daniyal 8-2; Hamza Asim Bt Abdul Wahid 8-0; Usman Ijaz Bt Ibrahim 8-2; Ladies singles: Soha Ali Bt Zara Shebaz 6-0; Sheeza Sajjid Bt Amara 6-3; Soha Ali Bt Sher Aleem 6-2;

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Remington Stars carved out thrilling 7-6.5 triumph over Platinum Homes Tigers in the Tower 21 Polo Super League match played here at the Lahore Polo Club ground on Saturday. Hamza Mawaz Khan was hero of the day from Remington Stars as he played outstanding polo and contributed with four fabulous goals while Bilal Hayat Noon banged in a brace and Basel Faisal Khokhar struck one. From Platinum Homes Tigers, who had a half goal handicap advantage, Amirreza Behboudi fired in five goals while Aleem Tiwana scored one goal. Remington Stars dominated the match right from the word go as they slammed in two goals each against one each by Platinum Homes Tigers in the first and second chukkers respectively to have 4-2 lead. The third chukker was then dominated by Platinum Homes Tigers, who struck two goals against one by Remington Stars to make it 4-5. Both the teams converted two goals each in the fourth and last chukker with Remington Stars winning the match by 7-6.5.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The 5th PGF International Ladies’ Golf Championship started on Friday here at Islamabad Golf Club, as the Rimsha Ijaz and Thitikrn Thapasit earned the lead at the end of Day-1 game. Both were at two over par 74 after 18 holes. Thitikrn from Thailand scored three birdies on Hole No 8-10 and 12. Rimsha was cool and played his game consistently to reach on top. She also hit birdies thrice time during her 18 holes game.

BIBPIN DANI Dennis Lillee's leading tributes at the funeral on Thursday had mention of Bacchus for his departed wicket-keeper friend Rod Marsh. Interestingly, Bacchus Marsh is a town in Australia and there's a story exclusively described by Australia's award-winning journalist Peter Lalor on how the name Bacchus struck Marsh. "Once the players were making a trip to Ballarat with the team to play in a charity match. The train stopped in Bacchus Marsh and the great Rod (Marsh) needed to go to the toilet as they were having a few drinks on the trip. Rod had to leave the train and go into the station toilets". "He reportedly got locked in the toilet and the train went without him. Stuck in the Town where he knew no one he made his way down to the local pub “The court House” where he spent some time with the locals and told stories about cricket. A young man then offered him a lift to Ballarat in his new car. When arriving late to meet his team mates. He told his story and as he was stuck in Bacchus Marsh his teammates found it fitting to Nick Name home Bacchus Marsh", Lalor described the incident. 

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Islamabad Bulls overcame Islamabad Raptors with 69-57 score in an exhibition match regarding the Pakistan Day Celebrations that held under the aegis of Federal Basketball Association (FBBA) in Collaboration with Capital Development Authority (CDA)/Municipal Corporation Islamabad (MCI). Top Scorer for Bulls was Rizwan with 19, followed by Yasir with 18 and Ahmed with 16. Farhan was the top scorer for Raptors with 22 points. The match was officiated by Yasir Ghafoor, Ch. Nadeem, Umer Mahmood and Rizwan Ul Haq. Qamar ud Din Junejo, Deputy Director Sports & Cultural Department CDA/MCI, Ouj E Zahoor, General Secretary FBBA, officials of CDA/MCI and basketball lovers from the local community witnessed the exhibition match.  Ouj E Zahoor, General Secretary FBBA lauded the efforts of Sports and Culture Department of CDA/MCI in providing the sports infrastructure for the promotion of sports which has attracted local youth towards the game of basketball. Qamar ud Din on behalf of Director Sports & Cultural Department CDA/MCI Amir Shahzad and the Deputy Commissioner Mohmmad Hamza Shafqaat thanked FBBA for their efforts to promote the game of Basketball and announced that they would always have sports facilities available for FBBA to organize activities in Islamabad. Qamar ud Din gave away the winning Trophy and Rupees 15,000 cash prize to Islamabad Bulls and Rupees 10,000 cash prize to Islamabad Raptors.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Rising stars Asad Zaman and Omer Jawad claimed three titles each in the Sapphire Punjab Junior Tennis Championship 2022 that concluded here at the Punjab Tennis Academy, Bagh-e-Jinnah Friday. Asad won his first title by beating Hassan Ali with a score of 6-1, 7-6. He doubled his crowns when he, partnering with Amir Mazari outpaced the pair of Zaeem Ghafoor and Hassan Ali in the boys U-18 doubles final with a margin of 5-4, 4-2. Asad, who is the No 1 U-16 player, completed the hat-trick of titles when he outsmarted Amir Mazari in the boys U-16 final by 6-1, 6-4. Asad thanked his coach and mentor Rashid Malik (ZTBL) for his training and coaching that is helping him excel at higher level and also lauded Tariq Zaman, CEO Ali Embroidery, for his all-out generous support, as without sponsorship, it is not possible to afford the expensive game like tennis. Omer Jawad also managed a hat-trick of titles as first he defeated Zohaib Afzal Malik by 6-2, 6-1 to claim the boys U-14 title. He doubled his titles, when he, partnering with Ismail Aftab, grabbed the boys U-14 doubles title. They beat the pair of Aalay Hussain and Eesa Bilal 4-2, 4-1. The victory in the boys/girls U-12 final against young and promising Abdur Rehman helped Omer complete the hat-trick of titles. He outclassed Abdur Rehman 6-0, 6-2. In the girls Under-18 final, talented Ashtafila Arif beat young Hajra Sohail 7-5, 6-3 to lift the title. In the boys/girls Under-10 final, Hajra Sohail (AAA Associates) outpaced Mustafa Uzair Rana 8-2 to clinch the title. In the boys/girls Under-8, Ahsan Bari grabbed gold, Ibrahim Siraj silver and Daniyal Afzal Malik bronze medal. In the boys/girls Under-6, Soha Ali clinched gold, Mamnoon Bari silver and Diana bronze medal. Hafsa Shayan of Sapphire Textile graced the occasion as chief guest and distributed prizes and shields among the winners and top performers. Other notables present on the occasion were Col (R) Asif Dar, guest of honour, PLTA Secretary Rashid Malik, players and their families and tennis lovers. Malik thanked the Abdullah Family and Sapphire Textile for sponsoring this event and hoped that they will continue to support and patronage this beautiful game of tennis.