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FOOTBALL - Int News 14 Sep, 2025
Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): New Al Kholood Head Coach Des Buckingham is a well-travelled man. Now coaching in his fifth country since taking up the role earlier this summer, the Englishman is settling into life in the Rosh Saudi League after spells in New Zealand, Australia and India, where he made history with Mumbai City, winning the Indian Super League and breaking records in the process.His home-town club Oxford United came calling next. A whirlwind return saw Buckingham take the side back to the EFL Championship for the first time in 25 years, writing his name in club folklore along the way.Appointed earlier this summer by Al Kholood’s new owners, the Harburg Group, Buckingham will lead the first foreign-owned club in RSL history. Now settling into life in Ar Rass, Buckingham is relishing the prospect of facing some of the best players and coaches in the world throughout the season ahead.he said: “I look at the managers that are in the league this year. We've got Inzaghi, Lauren Blanc, Jorge Jesus… then you look at some of the players we know, the obvious one is Ronaldo, but you have Mane, Benzema. You've got Nunez, Coman, Neves, so in terms of the quality that it attracts and will continue to attract, it's an exciting place to be right now. I think there's teams here now that have got a forward line that in the Premier League wouldn't go a miss. You know, they all pose their own challenges, but that's the exciting part for me as a Head Coach. I want to challenge myself in the highest place I can in terms of coaches and managers and this league certainly will give me the opportunity to do that.”On the opportunity to coach in Saudi Arabia, Buckingham continued: “The Saudi Pro League is seen as the largest or the biggest competition in Asia. We've done our Champions league campaign with Mumbai for five weeks whilst in Riyadh. So I've been to the country before and it is football mad. And of course you've got 2034 for the World Cup. So it is a very football-mad country. So even walking around the remote regions like we are here in Ar Rass everybody is a football fan.”Reflecting on the challenge of working overseas, Buckingham said: “I love what working overseas allows you to learn. About not just yourself, but about football and about life. I think there's so many things, whether it be cultural, whether it be religion, whether it be football, that I'd like to think, in this fourth [overseas] country now, that will make me not just a better coach, but will make me a better person.”
FOOTBALL - National 11 Sep, 2025
Abdullah AsjadISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced the squad for the upcoming SAFF U-17 Championship 2025, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from September 15 to 27, 2025. The squad was finalized by Head Coach Syed Nasir Ismail.Names of players:Goalkeepers: Samar Razzaq, Khalil Jibran and Adil Ali KhanDefenders: Nadeem Hussain, Mohammad Alam, Mohammad Masood, Mohammad Zubair, Shahid Anjum, Aabiss Raza and Azizullah Midfielders: Mustafa Israr, Abdul Samad, Ibrahim Asif, Mohammad Talha, Haroon Rasheed, Mohammad Essa and Saad Tiwana Forwards: Mohammad Abdullah, Mansoor Ahmed, Hasnain Wali Raza, Mohammad Owais, Hamza Yasir and Syed ShahramPakistan has been placed in Group B alongside India, Maldives, and Bhutan. The national side will begin its campaign against Bhutan on September 16, face Maldives on September 19, and conclude the group stage with a match against India on September 22.
British Open Returns To Birmingham In 2026
Islamabad (Sports News): The British Open, the most prestigious event on the PSA Squash Tour calendar, returns to Birmingham's Rep Theatre for a fourth year in a row in 2026, taking place between May 30 - June 7.Diego Elias clinched his first British Open title in front of a sold out Rep Theatre back in June, while women's World No.1 Nouran Gohar retained her crown after defeating Nour El Sherbini.
Pakistan tennis players arrive in Paraguay for Davis Cup Tie
Sports Bulletin ReportAsuncion (Paraguay): A five-member Pakistan Davis Cup team has arrived in Asuncion, Paraguay, ahead of their World Group-II Davis Cup tie against Paraguay, scheduled to be held on 12th and 13th September 2025.The team landed Paraguay on 7th September 2025, following an intensive preparation phase that included a 20-day training camp at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad, and a 4-day training camp at the Inventist Tennis Academy, Istanbul, Turkey.Pakistan squad:Mohammad Haseeb Aslam – CaptainAisam-ul-Haq Qureshi – PlayerAqeel Khan – PlayerMuzammil Murtaza – PlayerHuzaifa Abdul Rahman – PlayerMikaeel Ali Baig – PlayerCol. Zia-ud-din Tufail (R) – Team ManagerMohammad Shahid – PhysiotherapistAisam-ul-Haq, President PTF, said: We are ready for the Davis Cup. Our team is a balanced combination of young and experienced players, and we are hopeful for positive results. Paraguay is a strong team on their home ground, but we will give our 100 percent to achieve the best possible outcome.
ICC reveals Player of the Month nominees for August
Islamabad (Sports Desk): Fast bowlers Matt Henry, Jayden Seales and Mohammed Siraj are in the running for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for August while Muneeba Ali, Orla Prendergast and Iris Zwilling form the shortlist for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award.Siraj’s burst on the final day of the Test series against England that helped India win in dramatic fashion at The Oval has put him in the reckoning even as Henry’s clinical display in a two-Test series in Zimbabwe and Seale’s superb performances in a memorable home ODI series against Pakistan put them in contention.The women’s shortlist is based on T20I performances in Europe. Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast is in the shortlist after helping win a home T20I series against Pakistan and continuing the form in subsequent T20Is, Muneeba makes it to the shortlist as she helped win the last match of that series with a sparkling century and the Netherlands’ Zwilling is there among the three after finishing with a bagful of wickets in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier.MEN’S SHORTLISTMatt Henry (New Zealand)Henry finished as the Player of the Series against Zimbabwe as New Zealand blanked the home side 2-0. The 33-year-old had match hauls of nine for 90 and seven for 56 as his team won the two Tests in Bulawayo by massive margins.Jayden Seales (West Indies)Seales grabbed 10 wickets to be named the Player of the Series in the three ODIs at home against Pakistan. He finished as the leading wicket-taker and the highlight for him was a career-best haul of six for 18 in the final match that his team won by a huge 202-run margin to claim their first series win over the opposition since 1991.Mohammed Siraj (India)Siraj’s match-winning performance at The Oval that helped draw the five-match series against England 2-2 was sensational. He grabbed three wickets on the morning of the final day as India won the match by six runs. He had hauls of four for 86 and five for 104 in the two innings, finishing with nine wickets at an average of 21.11.WOMEN’S SHORTLISTMuneeba Ali (Pakistan)Muneeba struck only the second century in a WT20I by a Pakistan batter, her 100 not out off 68 deliveries helping her team win the third match of the series against Ireland by eight wickets. The left-handed opener scored a total of 132 runs in three matches at an average of 66.00Orla Prendergast (Ireland)The 23-year-old Ireland all-rounder was named the Player of the Series in a home T20I series against Pakistan that her team won 2-1. She aggregated 144 runs and took four wickets in the series and continued her fine run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier. Her aggregate over the month was 244 runs at an average of 48.80 and a strike rate of 127.08 and a total of seven wickets.Iris Zwilling (Netherlands)Zwilling grabbed 10 wickets in six T20Is during the period which saw her finish as the joint leading wicket-taker in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier. She averaged 10.70 per wicket at an economy of 4.65 and had returns included three-wicket hauls against Germany and Italy
Pakistan to host m T20I tri-series involving Afghanistan and Sri Lanka
Lahore (PCB Report): The Pakistan Cricket Board will host its maiden T20I tri-series when Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka feature in a three-nation tournament from 17 to 29 November.The series has been organised to provide all teams with valuable preparation ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be staged in India and Sri Lanka.The tri-series will begin on 17 November with Pakistan taking on Afghanistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This will be Afghanistan’s first-ever T20I in Pakistan, having earlier played five ODIs in the country, the last of which was against Australia during ICC Champions Trophy in February this year.On 19 November, Sri Lanka will face Afghanistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the remaining five T20Is of the tri-series, including the final on 29 November will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.Earlier, in October/November, Pakistan will host South Africa for a two-match Test series – part of ICC World Test Championship 2025-27, as well as three T20Is and three ODIs from 12 October to 8 November.PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed: “We look forward to hosting Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for Pakistan’s maiden T20I tri-series. This event will not only offer excellent preparation for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, but also present fans with exciting cricket across venues.“Earlier this year, PCB successfully delivered the ICC Champions Trophy and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier. These achievements underline our capacity and readiness to host back-to-back international events at the highest level.”Tri-Series T20I Tournament (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka)17 November – Pakistan v Afghanistan, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi19 November – Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi22 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore23 November – Pakistan v Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore25 November – Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore27 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore29 November –Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
SPORTS NEWS - Futsal 04 Sep, 2025
Islamabad (SBR): The training camp for the Pakistan national futsal team has officially commenced at the Liaquat Gymnasium, Jinnah Sports Complex, Islamabad, in preparation for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, set to be held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.The camp is being led by Head Coach Sakhawat Ali, who is guiding the team as it prepares to make history by participating in an international futsal tournament for the first time ever. Pakistan has been drawn into Group D, which includes Chinese Taipei, Iraq and host nation Saudi Arabia.The national futsal team will kick off its campaign against Iraq on September 20, followed by a match against Saudi Arabia on September 22 and conclude the group stage with a fixture against Chinese Taipei on September 24. All matches will be played in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammad Waseem to lead 17-member UAE squad in Asia Cup 2025
Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Prolific opener Mohammad Waseem will lead the 17-member UAE squad in the DP World Asia Cup 2025 which begins in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, 9 September. UAE are placed in Group A. India, Oman and Pakistan are the other three teams in the group.UAE will take on India in their opening game at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday 10 September. UAE play Oman at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday, 15 September. Their last group game is with Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday, 17 September.The top two teams in each group will progress to Super Four stage which will commence from Sunday, 21 September. UAE squad: Mohammad Waseem (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Ethan D’ Souza, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Matiullah Khan, Mohammad Farooq, Mohammad Jawadullah, Mohammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra (wicketkeeper), Rohid Khan, Simranjeet Singh and Saghir Khan. Support Staff: Amjad Ezzi (team manager), Lalchand Rajput (head coach), Azharuddin Qureshi (strength and conditioning coach), Manipreet Sidhu (video analyst), Naveed Ahmad (fielding coach), Darshan Singh (Side-Armer) and Manish Pradeshi (physiotherapist). UAE match schedule:Wednesday, 10 September – India vs United Arab Emirates, Dubai – 6:30pmMonday, 15 September – UAE vs Oman, Abu Dhabi – 4:00pmWednesday, 17 September – Pakistan vs UAE, Dubai – 6:30pmSaturday, 20 September – B1 vs B2, Dubai – 6:30pm*Super Four:*Sunday, 21 September – A1 vs A2, Dubai – 6:30pmMonday, 22 September – Rest DayTuesday, 23 September – A2 vs B1, Abu Dhabi – 6:30pmWednesday, 24 September – A1 vs B2, Dubai – 6:30pmThursday, 25 September – A2 vs B2, Dubai – 6:30pmFriday, 26 September – A1 vs B1, Dubai – 6:30pmSaturday, 27 September – Rest DaySunday, 28 September – Final, Dubai – 6:30pmMonday, 29 September – Reserve Day.
Sikandar Raza becomes No. 1 ODI all-rounder for the first time
Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Zimbabwe’s star player Sikandar Raza has become the top-ranked all-rounder in the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings for the first time in his career after a fine show in the two-match series against Sri Lanka in Harare.The 39-year-old scored 92 and 59 not out in the two matches and took one wicket in the series to overtake the Afghanistan pair of Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, who are now placed second and third, respectively. Raza’s previous best was the second position that he attained in December 2023.Raza’s aggregate of 151 runs also lifted him nine places to 22nd position in the batting rankings, which is two places off his career-best 24th position reached in June 2023. He has also gained one spot to reach 38th position among bowlers.Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka, who topped the aggregate with 198 runs to be named the Player of the Series, has moved up seven places to 13th position while Janith Liyanage (up 13 places to 29th) of Sri Lanka and Sean Williams of Zimbabwe (up three places to 47th) are others to move up the batting rankings after the series.Scotland batter George Munsey is up three places to 34th after a match-winning 84 not out against Canada in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 while South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi has moved from 67th to 64th.The ODI bowling rankings see South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj shake off Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana to take the sole No. 1 position after a match-winning haul of four for 22 in the first ODI against England in Leeds with Jofra Archer (up six places to 19th) and Lungi Ngidi (up five places to joint-23rd) among the others to move up the bowling rankings after the match.Asitha Fernando has advanced six places to 31st while Dilshan Madushanka’s match-winning four for 62 in the first Harare ODI that included a hat-trick, has lifted him from 60th to 52nd position.The ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings see Afghanistan batters Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal make huge progress after helping beat Pakistan in a tri-series match in Sharjah with scores of 65 and 64, respectively. Zadran is up 12 places to 20th while Atal has rocketed 346 places to 127th position.Pakistan batters Hasan Nawaz (up two places to joint-31st) is among those to gain in the batting rankings while Sufiyan Muqeem (up 11 places to 22nd), Shaheen Afridi (up eight places to 26th and Mohammad Nawaz (up 15 places to 43rd) are among those to move up the bowling rankings.Raza’s upward movement may have resulted in Nabi slipping to third position in the ODI all-rounders’ list, but he has moved up one spot to second position among T20I all-rounders.
SPORTS NEWS - National 04 Sep, 2025
ISLAMABAD (SBR): Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has asked all national sports federations to submit complete details of their affiliated clubs and associations, right down to the village and town level, within the next two weeks, aiming to bring transparency to Pakistan’s sports governance.According to a spokesman for PSB, the move is part of a broader set of reforms being initiated by Director General PSB Yasir Pirzada, aimed at tightening governance, ending paper-based federations, and pushing for a culture of documentation and accountability in sports.PSB asked federations to provide lists of their clubs, tehsil, district, divisional, and provincial associations, along with names and contact details of presidents and secretaries, and the dates of their last elections. A federation that fails to submit the information within 15 days will be considered non-functional at the grassroots level.The PSB has a plan to compile the data into a public database, making it easier for athletes, parents, and policymakers to identify which associations are actually functional. Observers note that if carried through, the verification drive could expose hollow setups while strengthening genuine clubs that serve as nurseries for young athletes.
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