BIPIN DANIPunjab's 24-year-old batting all-rounder, Abhishek Sharma, etched his name in IPL history with a phenomenal maiden century, dedicated to the loyal Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) fans—the Orange Army. The left-handed batter's scintillating knock on Saturday night electrified the Hyderabad crowd and shattered multiple records.In an extraordinary display of power-hitting, Abhishek scored an awe-inspiring 141 runs off just 55 balls. His innings included a stunning 24 boundaries—14 fours and 10 sixes—making it a spectacle to remember in the T20 world. But what added an emotional touch to this iconic moment was what came next. Right after his remarkable performance, Abhishek pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, which bore the heartfelt message: "This one is for the Orange Army (SRH's fans)."Speaking exclusively to this reporter, the following morning, Abhishek's father, Rajkumar Sharma, shared, "We were totally unaware about this paper. Even his team members were not aware." Rajkumar and his wife, Manju Devi, had arrived in Hyderabad a day prior to the match, a gesture aimed at lifting their son's morale and supporting the team during tough times. "The confidence level of the team members was so low, so we decided to go and boost the morale of my son, Abhishek," the proud father said.The presence of family has proven to be a lucky charm for Abhishek in the past as well. Rajkumar fondly recalled, "In one of his earlier knocks, my daughter (a physiotherapist) was on the ground. It seems to have worked wonders for him." Abhishek himself attributed his spectacular knock to his parents' support. "I was waiting for my parents to be at the stadium. Our entire team was waiting for them," he revealed with a smile after the match.This memorable innings has cemented Abhishek Sharma's place as a star in the making, while also underscoring the significance of family and fans in an athlete's journey. The Orange Army, no doubt, will cherish this tribute for years to come. 

Sports Bulletin ReportRawalpindi: Quetta Gladiators spinner Usman Tariq was reported by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Chris Brown for a suspect bowling action during his side’s HBL PSL X match against Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday evening.As per the rules, Usman can continue to bowl in future matches. However, if the spinner is reported again, he will be suspended from bowling and will need to obtain clearance from an ICC accredited lab before he can resume bowling.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Powered by two second-period goals, Norway kept its playoff hopes alive with a 3-0 win over Hungary on Sunday. Goalie Ena Nystrom shone in recording her first tournament shutout with 45 saves.Winless and goalless through three games, Hungary is in danger of becoming the only team to go through an IIHF Women's World Championship without scoring since Kazakhstan in 2007. The Kazakhs were outscored 26-0 through four games in their first-ever top-division stint in Winnipeg.Asked to explain Hungary's lack of offence, forward Emma Kreisz said: "It's hard to find an answer to that. I really think that we do our best, and for some reason, it just doesn't want to bounce in for us. We are not sure why, but we have to keep going, and we are here to fight tomorrow as well." Each team has one Group B game remaining, and neither matchup is easy. Hungary faces Germany on Monday and Norway takes on Sweden on Tuesday.“Sweden is a tough team," said Nystrom. "They like to have the puck on their sticks, which we're comfortable with that. It's going to be fun. We know them well too. A lot of our girls know them from the SDHL and playing against them for a few years."Sunday's victory was a long time coming for Norway. The last time Norway won a top-division Women’s Worlds game was 7-4 over Switzerland on 16 April 1994 in Lake Placid, New York. The Norwegians now have a total of five wins all-time at this level.Coach Pat Cortina’s squad arguably deserved a better fate after outshooting Norway 11-4 through 20 minutes. Hungary has fired 24 or more shots on net in all three of its games so far, but at times it's been quantity over quality. Generally speaking, the Hungarians have been a bit too deliberate and tentative in their offensive thrusts and have had problems with the pace at this level.Norway drew first blood 56 seconds into the second period. Blueliner Andrine Furulund fired a wrister from the right point that beat Hungarian starter Aniko Nemeth through traffic."It was fun to get the first goal in the game," said Furulund. "We just got more energy and we just fought from there.”Just past the eight-minute mark of the second, Hungary almost connected on a 2-on-1 off a neutral-zone turnover, but Nystrom stuck out her right pad to deny Kinga Jokai-Szilagyi in close. At 9:46, Emma Bergesen doubled the Norwegian lead. In the Hungarian end, a puck ricocheted to the assistant captain, and she skated to the top of the left faceoff circle before shooting it high past Aniko Nemeth on the glove side."I've known her since she was very little, and I've seen her progress," Nystrom said of Bergesen. "She's awesome. She plays hard every night, and she has skill with the puck too. It's nice to have a really good two-way defenceman in front of me, and I trust her, as we all do."Midway through the third period, the ice opened up during a 4-on-4 sequence. But Nystrom barred the door with the likes of Taylor Baker and Reka Hiezl swarming her crease and firing from all angles during the ensuing abbreviated Hungarian power play.Despite the enthusiastic chanting and drumming of Hungary's famous supporters section, there was to be no dramatic late comeback, even with Hungary outshooting Norway 21-4 in the final stanza.Furulund hailed Nystrom's bravura performance: "She was outstanding. She’s a wall back there. If it wasn’t for her, it could be different, but she’s our wall, and that’s important for us."Aniko Nemeth was pulled for the extra attacker with under three minutes left, but Millie Rose Sirum added an empty-netter at 19:15."Obviously it was nice seeing the puck today," Nystrom said. "I think our D played really well too in front of me. Our centres blocked some shots too, and that's important. We know that we allow a decent amount of shots in this group, and we're okay with that. We just want to allow them in the right places and pick up sticks, and I think we did a good job of that today." (Thanks to Lucas Aykroyd) 

Sports Bulletin ReportTAXILA: Pakistan WAPDA have won the title of the Chairman POF Board  54th National Men’s Volleyball Championship 2025 after beating Pakistan Air Force (PAF) 3-1 in the final here at POF Sports Complex Hall.The 54th National Volleyball Championship, organized under the Pakistan Volleyball Federation with the support of the POF Sports Control Board, was held at the POF Sports Complex. The title match was played between teams from Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan WAPDA, and a large crowd of volleyball fans filled the gymnasium to witness the action. Thousands of spectators were present to watch the match.In the first two games, the Pakistan WAPDA team delivered an outstanding performance, winning 20-25 and 22-25. However, in the third game, the Pakistan Air Force team made a comeback and won it 19-25. The fourth game saw both teams displaying excellent volleyball skills and thrilling the audience. After a tight and exciting contest, Pakistan WAPDA clinched the fourth game 23-25, securing the championship title.At the end, the chief guest, DGC POF Major General Kashif Azad (HI) Military distributed prizes among the players.Murad wazir of wapda was declared the best player of the championship. 

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Italy’s Marco Scolaris has been elected as IFSC President to lead the organisation for the next four years, continuing the role he has held since the IFSC’s inception in 2007. Scolaris won a vote ahead of candidate Tijl Smitz of Belgium to head a new Executive Board that was also voted for at the XXII IFSC General Assembly in Larnaca, Cyprus.Gaining a 57.83% majority, Scolaris’ campaign and manifesto was built on a focus of athlete’s well-being and resources, growing Para Climbing and further strengthening Climbing’s position in the Olympic sphere, and shaping the event calendar at the IFSC and National Federation level. The election ensures continuity for the federation that was founded in 2007, with Scolaris the first, and currently only, President of the organisation and a founder of the IFSC.The new make-up of the IFSC Executive Board will see Australia’s Naomi Cleary, France’s Pierre You, Japan’s Toru Kobinata and USA’s Anne-Worley Moelter as Vice-President’s following the assembly election vote. They will join athlete representatives Shauna Coxsey and Sean McColl who will remain on the board until their replacements are named at an election among the athletes in September of this year.Cleary, Toru and You were all previously on the Executive Board and will continue for the next four years. Other candidates who ran for Vice-President were Netherlands’ Joachim Driessen and Czechia’s Jan Bloudek.The IFSC Executive Board also includes members representing the continents with South Africa’s Christopher Naude representing Africa, China’s Li Guowei representing Asia, Germany’s Burghilda Beste representing Europe, New Zealand’s Stephane David representing Oceania, and Puerto Rico’s Rene Sepulveda representing Pan America.Singapore’s Anthony Seah also ran for the Asia representative position, with Li elected ahead of him. The former IFSC Executive Board’s final order of business was to preside over the appointment of the Disciplinary and Ethics Commissions for the 2025-2029 term.Dagmawit Berhane, John Bowen, Patti Rube and Lorenzo Vigasio make up the Ethics Commission with Deana Labriola, Ursa Pirc, Achille Reali and Loic Timmermans forming the Disciplinary Commission. Both were voted on by the General Assembly. Both Commissions still have one vacant position which will be filled in due course. Coming to the end of her term as General Secretary, USA’s Debra Gawrych was proposed as an IFSC Honorary Member with the General Assembly unanimously confirming the proposal.Closing remarks were made by IFSC President Scolaris and President of the Cyprus Mountaineering & Climbing Federation Pavlos Georgiades, the host of the XXII General Assembly.The 2026 IFSC General Assembly is set to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with Yasmin Gahtani presenting a proposal from her federation to host to the delegates, and subsequently being confirmed by vote.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: A captain’s knock by Kathryn Bryce and fine bowling from the bowlers, led by Rachel Slater helped Scotland claim a solid, 58-run victory over Thailand in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground on Sunday. The Scotland skipper made 60, ably supported by Megan McColl’s 57, to help them to 206 all out batting first.Despite a promising start from Thailand in response, only Natthakan Chantham (63) was able to build a big score in the chase, with Slater’s three for nine at the start of the innings proving to be crucial for Kathryn Bryce’s charges. That leaves Scotland with two wins from their first three fixtures with a big clash against Bangladesh up next, while Thailand are still searching for their first win of the tournament.Bryce and McColl provide Scotland a good foundation: Scotland won the toss and elected to bat first but lost Pippa Sproule for one off the bowling of Nattaya Boochatham (2/46).That brought skipper Kathryn Bryce to the crease, she and Abbi Aitken-Drummond started to rebuild before Boochatham picked up her second wicket when she removed Aitken-Drummond for 22.Sarah Bryce joined her sister but quickly departed for five, however a 67-run stand between the elder Bryce and Ailsa Lister got Scotland back on track.Lister became the first of Onnicha Kamchomphu’s three victims, caught by Naruemol Chaiwai for a run-a-ball 38.Bryce followed for 60, bowled by Kampchomphu (3/28), but Megan McColl dug in to marshal the lower order.Even as wickets fell at regular intervals, her 57 from just 60 balls pushed Scotland past 200, before she was the last wicket to fall with nine overs still remaining.Thailand chase stumbles under Scotland pressure: The chase started positively with Boochatham (20) and Chanida Sutthiruang (18) putting on 41 runs for the first wicket.However, Rachel Slater proved difficult to get away from and got early results when she picked up both openers in the same over to get Scotland going.She then bowled Nannapat Koncharoenkai for three, taking her figures to three for nine, and leaving Thailand at 46 for three.Natthakan Chantham and skipper Chaiwai added 25 before the captain was trapped leg before by Abtaha Maqsood, and Scotland were able to chip away regularly despite Chantham’s best efforts.She was eventually bowled out by Maqsood for 63, ending any hopes of a successful chase, with Katherine Fraser sealing victory by having Kampchomphu caught to wrap up the 58-run success.Scores in brief:Scotland v Thailand – LCCA GroundScotland 206 all out in 41 overs (Kathryn Bryce 60, Megan McColl; Thipatcha Putthawong 3/28, Onnicha Kamchomphu 3/34)Thailand 148 all out in 31.3 overs (Natthakan Chantham 63, Nattaya Boochatham 20; Rachel Slater 3/9, Abtaha Maqsood 3/26, Katherine Fraser 3/28)Scotland won by 58 runs 

BIPIN DANIIn the high-octane world of cricket, individuality often shines brightest. For Digvesh Rathi, the young leg-spinner making waves in the IPL, his signature "notebook celebration" has drawn both admiration and criticism. While his skill with the ball is undeniable, his choice of celebration has landed him in hot water with the Indian cricket board on two occasions, sparking a debate about where the line between flair and decorum should be drawn.The Evolution of the Notebook Celebration1. The Initial Controversy : The first instance of Rathi's notorious celebration occurred after he dismissed Priyansh Arya during a match against Punjab Kings. Mimicking the act of jotting down notes, Rathi’s gesture was interpreted as provocative. Although Arya, a personal friend, shrugged it off, the cricketing authorities did not. Rathi was penalized 25% of his match fee, with criticism pouring in from various quarters. Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar notably remarked, “When you celebrate like this, it implies you didn’t expect to take a wicket. Such behavior borders on arrogance.”2. The Second Incident: Just a few matches later, Rathi repeated his act after claiming the wicket of Naman Dhir. The repeat offense cost him 50% of his match fee and an additional demerit point. The cricket board reiterated its stand against unsportsmanlike conduct, putting the spotlight on Rathi’s actions once again.3. A Theatrical Spin : The most recent chapter in Rathi’s controversial celebrations saw him take it a step further. After dismissing his idol, Sunil Narine, he theatrically bent down to the ground, mimicking the act of signing the grass. According to his coach, Sachin Shukla, this gesture was less of a taunt and more of a symbolic autograph, reflecting a deep respect for the player he idolizes. “It’s more about commemorating his performance,” Shukla explained, adding that Rathi has long maintained a habit of recording his successes.Support from Close Quarters: Despite the growing controversy, Rathi has found steadfast support among those who know him best. Speaking exclusively, Sachin Shukla, his personal coach at Dronacharya Cricket Academy came to his defense: “Yes, the first instance involved some contact with the batter, but it’s important to note that Priyansh Arya is his friend, and there was no animosity. Different players have their own ways of celebrating, and as long as it doesn’t harm anyone, I don’t see an issue with it.”Elaborating further on the notebook celebration done on the ground, the coach said, "Rathi bent down and theatrically signed the grass—more a symbolic autograph than a taunt, perhaps a gesture of respect. After all, Sunil Narine is his idol. His "notebook celebration" likely reflects a long-standing habit of recording his best performances, something he's been doing for years".Rathi’s elder brother, Sunny Rathi, who serves as a constable, also weighed in on the matter. “After his first penalty, we warned him to tone it down. But Digvesh is adamant—he sees himself as an aggressive bowler and insists that his celebrations reflect his mindset. He once told me, ‘If I stop celebrating in my style, I’ll lose my edge. I don’t want to become a defensive player.’”The Man Beyond the Field: Born into a modest family, Digvesh Rathi’s story is one of resilience and ambition. His father, Dharmendra Singh, earns a livelihood working at construction sites, while his mother, Manju Devi, is a homemaker. His younger brother, Nirdosh, shares an interest in cricket, perhaps inspired by Rathi’s own passion and achievements.While the controversies surrounding Rathi’s celebrations continue to divide opinions, they also underscore the fiery personality of a player who is determined to make his mark. For Rathi, every wicket is not just a statistic but a story worth penning down—quite literally. 

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Parkha has clinched the title of the 11th JA Zaman Memorial Open Golf Championship 2025 that concluded here at Lahore Gymkhana Golf Course on Friday.Parkha Ijaz Claims Ladies Amateur Title with Clinical Precision: In the Ladies Amateur Division, Parkha Ijaz delivered a masterclass in consistency and control, clinching the top gross honors with an impressive total score of 234. Her dominance was particularly evident during the second round, where she fired sublime rounds of 71 and 70, setting herself apart with composed putting and sharp course management. Bushra Fatima (239) and Aania Farooq Syed (247) secured second and third place in the gross category, rounding off the top-tier performers.In the net category, Saqiba Batool emerged victorious with a net score of 230. Leveraging her 17-handicap with smart decision-making, she outpaced her competitors. Aleesa Rashid (262) and Ana James Gill (238) followed in second and third place, respectively, showcasing grit and determination. The dual focus on gross and net categories highlighted not only pure golfing prowess but also the strategic edge that handicaps bring, offering a well-rounded celebration of talent.Shabbir’s Stellar 65 Headlines Men’s Professional Division: Despite challenging weather conditions and rain-induced delays, the second round of the Men’s Professional Division produced electrifying performances. Foremost among them was Muhammad Shabbir, who fired a sensational 65—four strokes better than his solid opening round of 69. His dominance in the wet, softened conditions was underscored by impeccable drives and a clinical short game, reasserting his status as a championship favorite.Talib Hussain and Asif Ali made remarkable comebacks, each carding 67s after difficult opening rounds. Their nine-stroke improvements were a testament to mental resilience and technical adjustments. Mohammad Minhaj also stood out, improving to a 68 and moving into second place, displaying calm under pressure and consistency across both rounds.Conversely, players like Kamran Shafiq (74 from 70) and Mohammad Zubair (73 from 70) faced setbacks as the demanding conditions exposed flaws in precision and adaptability. Interestingly, six of the top ten players improved their scores in Round 2, with the average top-10 score dropping from 71.8 to 70.7. Meanwhile, the overall field saw a 1.5-stroke increase in scoring average—underscoring that adaptability and mental strength separated the elite from the rest.Rain and Resilience: The Unsung Heroes Behind the Scenes: The tournament’s opening day was marked by rain that forced the postponement of the amateur division’s first round. Yet the championship was kept alive thanks to the tireless efforts of greenkeepers and course staff. Armed with blowers, rollers, and relentless dedication, they restored playability and ensured a fair contest despite nature’s disruption.“We can’t thank the ground crew enough,” said a senior tournament committee member. “Their efforts often go unnoticed, but they made this event possible.”Organizers and Referees: The Backbone of Fair Play: Tournament organizers issued a statement applauding the players’ professionalism and patience. “This championship is not just about scores; it’s about spirit. From players to staff, everyone rose to the occasion. The show went on because of you.”A quiet yet crucial figure throughout the event was Chief Referee Munazza Shaheen, who upheld the tournament's integrity with diligence and fairness—particularly in managing rain-affected zones and maintaining consistent rule enforcement.

Sports Bulletin ReportTAXILA : National Cricket Club Hazro have won the final of the All Pakistan T20 Cricket Tournament. In the final, the tournament's hot favorite team, Al-Faisal Cricket Club Attock, faced a tough and thrilling match and was defeated by 6 runs. Shahzaib from the champion team was declared the Player of the Match.The final of the All Pakistan T20 Cricket Tournament (APL Season 9) was played between Al-Faisal Cricket Club Attock and National Cricket Club Hazro at Attock Cricket Stadium (PCB Attock). Batting first, National Cricket Club scored 179 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Shahzaib played a highly responsible innings, scoring 76 runs and remained not out. Abbas scored 35, Nabi Gul made 17, and Shahab contributed 16 runs.From Al-Faisal Cricket Club, Rana Fasih bowled impressively, taking 2 wickets for just 23 runs in his 4 overs. Al-Faisal Cricket Club made a strong attempt to chase the target. Usman's half-century could not turn the game in their favor—he scored 56 runs off just 28 balls. Rana Fasih also contributed 25 runs off 16 balls, but the team could only reach 173 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs. Thus, National Cricket Club Hazro won the final by 6 runs and earned the title of champions. Shahzaib from the winning team was declared the best player of the match.At the end of the tournament, the chief guest, Member of National Assembly Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, distributed prizes among the players and officials. The winning team, National Cricket Club, received a cash prize of Rs. 200,000 and a trophy, while the runner-up, Al-Faisal Cricket Club, was awarded Rs. 100,000 and a trophy. In addition, players showing outstanding performance in categories like Man of the Match, Best Bowler, Best Batsman, and Best Fielder received cash prizes of Rs. 10,000 each.

BIPIN DANICricket has often showcased extraordinary sibling rivalries, where brothers compete on opposing teams, turning family bonds into thrilling showdowns on the field. Two of the most notable examples in Indian cricket feature the Pandya and Pathan brothers, both of whom have left indelible marks with their intense yet respectful rivalries. Pandya Brothers: IPL 2025 Showdown: In one of the standout moments of the IPL 2025 season, Krunal Pandya, playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), faced off against his younger brother Hardik Pandya, the captain of the Mumbai Indians. The match, held on a lively Monday evening at the Wankhede Stadium, was an emotional affair for the Pandya family and an exhilarating contest for fans. Hardik, in his usual aggressive style, smashed a blistering 42 off just 15 balls, threatening to tilt the match in Mumbai’s favor. However, Krunal stepped up when it mattered most, delivering a stellar bowling performance, claiming four wickets for 45 runs. His heroics helped RCB secure a narrow 12-run victory in a match that could have gone either way. While Krunal’s performance stood out, Hardik’s wicket was not among his dismissals that day. Despite this, the emotions of playing against his brother were evident during the post-match presentation, where Krunal reflected on the experience: "The bond that we have, at the end of the day, we knew only one (Pandya) would win. But the love and affection we have for each other is very natural. He batted well. We won, and I also wanted to win. He also wanted to win.” Pathan Brothers: Iconic IPL Rivalry: Years before the Pandya brothers, another sibling rivalry graced the IPL when Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan found themselves on opposite sides. Known for their contrasting styles, Irfan’s swing bowling posed a challenge to Yusuf’s explosive batting. Their duels were moments of pure cricketing drama, blending competition with mutual respect. Although neither consistently dominated the other, their encounters added unique flavor to the game, showcasing the depth of talent in one family and the joy cricket brings to fans who witness these special moments. Sibling rivalries like those of the Pandya and Pathan brothers add a rare emotional depth to cricket. These clashes remind us that cricket is not just a sport but a celebration of relationships, competition, and shared love for the game. Few spectacles are as compelling as the sight of brothers pushing each other to their limits while never letting their bond falter.