Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board announced that for the first time in HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) history, fans will be able to enjoy full-match Urdu commentary throughout the tournament. The HBL PSL X is all set to take place in four cities – Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Rawalpindi from 11 April to 18 May.Fans can now choose to tune into live broadcasts in Urdu, allowing them to experience the action and excitement of the league matches in Pakistan’s national language. This step is set to deepen engagement with millions of cricket fans and enhance their experience.HBL PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer: “This is a landmark moment for the HBL PSL and its ever-growing fanbase. Cricket is a unifying force in Pakistan and by offering commentary in Urdu for a full game, we are bringing the excitement and energy of the HBL PSL closer to the hearts of fans in every corner of the country. The introduction of the separate Urdu commentary feed is something that has been eagerly anticipated and we are excited to deliver it. This move not only strengthens our connection with the community but also ensures that the excitement of HBL PSL is more accessible to a wider audience.”

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The teams have gathered for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier. For some, the tournament marks the opportunity to return to the big stage while for others, it is a chance to make history and make a name for themselves.Fargana Hoque (Bangladesh): Fargana Hoque is Bangladesh’s first cap in both their T20I and ODI teams. She is the anchor at the top of the Tigress’ batting, having first opened the batting in 2012, just under a year after her debut. Even as her career has gone into its second decade, Fargana has continued to scale new heights, becoming the first Bangladeshi woman to score an ODI century when she made 107 against India in 2023. The right-hander made her second century five months later and is still the only Tigress to have made tons in both ODIs and T20Is. Now 32 years old, Fargana has been a part of the Bangladesh team for almost 14 years and is showing no signs of slowing down, having made three consecutive half-centuries at the end of 2024.Orla Prendergast (Ireland): The wonderkid of Ireland cricket, Orla Prendergast hit her first ODI century and the second-highest score ever made by an Irish woman when she made 122 not out against Sri Lanka in August 2024. She did so aged just 22 and masterminded Ireland’s highest run chase, as they knocked off 261 runs with four balls to spare. Almost as impressive were her bowling figures, as she took three for 25, her best returns for Ireland. She made her T20I debut aged only 17, with her maiden ODI appearance coming two years later. Since then, she has scored 819 runs in ODIs, with a handy average of 30.33, while also taking 18 wickets as an important all-rounder.Muneeba Ali (Pakistan): The wicketkeeper and Pakistan vice-captain became the first woman from her nation to record a century at a World Cup when she hit 102 against Ireland at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa. The 27-year-old made her debut for Pakistan in 2016, with her ODI debut following two years later. She now stands just 34 runs from passing 1,000 runs in her ODI career, having hit a high score of 107 in 2022, also against Ireland, one of Pakistan’s opponents in the Qualifier. With the gloves, Muneeba has taken 14 dismissals in the one-day format with 10 catches and four stumpings. Three of those catches came in one innings against West Indies, another one of the hosts’ opponents in this year’s tournament.Darcey Carter (Scotland): Darcey Carter has contributed across all facets of the game for Scotland since making her debut in 2023. The all-rounder was just 18 at the time of her international bow but was soon called on to open the batting in ODI cricket. Her career across the 50-over format took time to kick into gear, but she garnered attention after making 86 in a losing cause against the Netherlands. It is still the second-highest score ever made by a Scot in women’s ODIs, and she is third on the all-time runs list for her country. With the ball, Carter has taken seven wickets with a best return of three for 20 against Papua New Guinea last August. She has also been consistent in the field, taking four catches, the best numbers of the squad set to play in Pakistan.Nattaya Boochatham (Thailand): Nattaya Boochatham has lived many lives during her cricket career. The 38-year-old was Thailand’s leading run-scorer at the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, also taking the joint most wickets for her country. She made her full international debut a year later and was 35 by the time she played her first ODI. In T20Is, she became the first associate nation cricketer to claim 100 wickets, and for five years held the record for the most women’s T20I wickets in a calendar year with 40 in 2019. The off-spinner also holds the record for the most wickets taken by LBW in women’s T20I cricket with 26. In ODIs, she has taken 10 wickets from eight innings with a best return of three for seven against Zimbabwe in 2023.Chinelle Henry (West Indies): Chinelle Henry has gone under the radar for a while but is starting to get attention. The West Indies all-rounder made her ODI debut in 2014 but took time to earn a consistent place in the team. Her lower-order power-hitting has become a useful skill for the Windies and was on full display when Henry was a late call-up to the Women’s Premier League. She also produced handy bowling returns for the UP Warriorz that followed on from consistent performances for her international team. Her most recent ODI hit out saw her hit a career-high 61 against India late in 2024, while she also took three wickets in an innings for the fourth time in her career earlier that year.

Sports Bulletin ReportWah Cantt: Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Wah outclassed Sindh in straight games 3-0 in the Golootlo 54th National Senior Men's Volleyball Championship 2025 here at the POF Sports Hall on Saturday.Host players exhibited top-class game and overcame their opponents easily, as the final score-line was just 25-14, 25-11, 25-06. In another fixture, Pakistan Navy defeated Police in similar style 3-0 with the score-line of 25-18, 25-16, 25-17.Results (Day-2):PAF beat Gilgit Baltistan (3-0) 25-15, 25-18, 25-18Navy beat Sindh (3-0) 25-13, 25-09, 25-09Islamabad beat (3-1) 22-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-23POF beat Police (3-1) 25-12, 25-17, 26-28, 25-16Upcoming Fixtures (April 6, 2025):Sindh vs Police – 10:00 AMPakistan U-19 vs Gilgit Baltistan – 12:00 PMWAPDA vs Islamabad – 2:00 PMPunjab vs Army – 5:00 PMPAF vs KPK – 7:00 PMNavy vs POF – 9:00 PM

Karachi (PR): The Eid Cricket Festival, organized by Oasis Automobiles, featured an exciting series consisting of five matches. The event witnessed intense competition between Fighters Eleven and Shamsi Eleven, with players from both teams showcasing their best skills. Fighters Eleven emerged victorious, winning the series 3-2 and defeating Shamsi Eleven. Several players' outstanding performances played a key role in this win. During the tournament, Ibrahim Waqas Butt demonstrated an exceptional all-round performance, scoring 52 runs in five matches. Additionally, he took 2 wickets for 28 runs. His remarkable performance earned him the title of Man of the TournamentFighters Eleven's Chief Executive Officer, Talha Ahmed Butt, also impressed everyone with his outstanding performance. He scored over 150 runs and took 5 wickets for just 43 runs, playing a decisive role in his team's victory.In addition, Shiz Butt, Asif, Shoaib, Shakeel, and Mudassar Iqbal also made significant contributions. These players excelled not only in batting and bowling but also in fielding, which helped the team secure victory. Particularly, Mudassar Iqbal, in his debut match, scored 26 runs and took one wicket, earning praise from cricket fans.In the closing ceremony, Fighters Eleven was crowned the winner and awarded the trophy. Furthermore, players who showed outstanding performances were recognized with rewards and certificates. The event organizers expressed their commitment to hosting an even bigger edition in the future. 

Lahore (PR): Lahore Qalandars are thrilled to announce Daily Deli Co., one of Pakistan’s leading fast-food chains, as an official sponsor for HBL Pakistan Super League 10. As part of this exciting partnership, the Daily Deli Co. logo will be prominently displayed on both sides of the Qalandars' helmets throughout the tournament, symbolizing a shared passion for cricket and excellence. This collaboration goes beyond branding—it’s about creating unforgettable experiences for supporters and strengthening the bond between sports and local businesses. Atif Rana, CEO of Lahore Qalandars, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are proud to welcome Daily Deli Co. to the Qalandars family for HBL PSL 10. Their support highlights the growing appeal of Lahore Qalandars and the HBL PSL, and we look forward to working together to make this season even more special for our fans.” A representative of Daily Deli Co echoed Atif Rana’s sentiments, saying, “Daily Deli Co. is absolutely thrilled to partner with the Lahore Qalandars for PSL'25! It was only a matter of time before Daily Deli Co. took the big stage, and we couldn't think of a better partner than Lahore Qalandars! As a brand, we're passionate about serving up more than just great food - we're committed to delivering unforgettable experiences for our fans in Lahore. We believe this collaboration will be a winning combination, and we look forward to a fantastic PSL season together. Dama Dam Mast Qalandar!” As Lahore Qalandars gear up for another thrilling PSL campaign, this partnership with Daily Deli Co. promises to enhance the fan experience and bring cricket lovers closer to the action. With the Qalandars’ spirit and Daily Deli Co.’s energy, the stage is set for an unforgettable season of cricket, passion, and celebration. 

Sports Bulletin ReportPOF WAH: The Golootlo 54th National Senior Men's Volleyball Championship 2025 started at POF Wah on Friday, as the top teams from across the country showcased their talent on the opening day.The championship opened with Punjab facing Balochistan, where Punjab dominated the match with a straight 3-0 victory, securing set points of 25-13, 25-16, 25-17. In the second match, WAPDA demonstrated its superior gameplay against AJK, claiming another 3-0 win with set scores of 25-13, 25-12, 25-13.The third match saw Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) take on Gilgit Baltistan (GB). KP controlled the game entirely, winning comfortably 3-0 with set scores of 25-09, 25-09, 25-13. The fourth and most anticipated match of the day was also the official opening match, featuring Pakistan Air Force (PAF) against Pakistan U19. PAF emerged victorious with a 3-0 win, sealing set points 25-21, 25-18, 25-19.April 5, 2025 (Fixtures):PAF vs Gilgit Baltistan – 10:00 AMSindh vs Navy – 12:00 PMPolice vs POF – 2:00 PMAJK vs Islamabad – 5:00 PMKPK vs Pakistan U-19 – 7:00 PMArmy vs Balochistan – 9:00 PM

Sports Bulletin ReportColombo (Sri Lanka): The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) delegation participated in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Extraordinary Congress 2025, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.A two-member PFF delegation, led by President Saud Azim Hashimi and Acting General Secretary Mohammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar, actively represented Pakistan in the high-level gathering. The event was presided over by Kazi Salahuddin, President of SAFF. Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), attended the event as a special guest. During the congress, Purushottam Kattel, a former AFC official, was appointed as the new General Secretary of SAFF, marking a significant administrative development for the South Asian football. One of the key highlights of the event was a dedicated meeting between the PFF leadership and AFC President Shaikh Salman, accompanied by Vahid Kardany, Deputy General Secretary of the AFC, who played a crucial role in the recent PFF Congress settlement, ensuring alignment of the PFF Statutes with AFC and FIFA.During the discussion, the focus remained on the ongoing normalization process in Pakistan football and the upcoming PFF elections, both considered crucial milestones in revitalizing the country’s footballing landscape. PFF President and NC Chairman Saud Azim Hashimi briefed the AFC President on the progress of the PFF elections and outlined the steps ahead in the electoral process.Expressing optimism, Shaikh Salman shared his hopeful expectations for a new era of leadership to emerge from the upcoming PFF elections. He emphasised that strong, stable leadership is essential for the sport’s growth in Pakistan and pledged all-out AFC support to assist the country in its journey toward football development and excellence. The PFF delegation also held productive sideline discussions with leaders of other SAFF member nations, where they explored avenues for regional collaboration, joint ventures, and strategies to advance shared goals in South Asian football.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The first edition of the FIFA Futsal World Ranking for the year, which was published on Friday 4 April 2025, revealed some significant changes – in both tables – on the back of 183 women’s matches and 192 in the men’s game.In the Women’s Futsal Ranking, there was a notable rise in the number of matches played around the world, with 111 games already played in 2025 – nearly doubling the amount that took place during the same period a year earlier. Nevertheless, the first four positions remain the same as the previous update in October 2024 with Brazil, Spain, Portugal, and Argentina leading the table in front of Thailand (5th, up 1) and Italy (6th, up 2). The biggest climbers are Morocco (47th, up 18), Norway (53rd, up 15), Czechia (45th, up 12), France (49th, up 11), and Slovakia (40th, up 10).Five new teams enter the fray, namely Australia (59th), the USA (73rd), England (76th), Senegal (78th), and India (79th). Australia remains undefeated after its first four official matches, all of which were FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025™ qualifiers, and thus makes its ranking debut in a considerably higher position than the other newcomers. March 2025 saw several teams secure qualification for the tournament, with Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain (UEFA) set to join Argentina, Brazil and Colombia (CONMEBOL) at its first edition kicking off in November.In the latest Men’s Futsal Ranking table, Brazil remain ahead of Portugal with a lead of more than 100 points. Spain (3rd, up 1) have overtaken Argentina (4th, down 1), while IR Iran (5th, up 1) and Morocco (6th, plus 1) have also risen at the cost of Kazakhstan (7th, down 2). Poland (19th, up 3) and Armenia (20th, up 11) both make their first appearance in the top 20.Apart from Armenia, there are several teams that have improved their positions by more than 10 ranks since last October, namely Bosnia and Herzegovina (36th, up 12), Andorra (55th, up 13), Latvia (60th, up 11), and Greece (88th, up 19). AFC hosted the most fixtures since the last rankings release, with Indonesia (21st, up 7) a notable riser.

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The 3rd edition of the Serena Masters Series concluded at the PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, with the straight games victories of Aqeel Khan and Ushna Suhail in the finals here. Aqeel Khan ousted Barkatullah 6-3, 6-2 in the men’s singles while Ushna Suhail thrashed Sheeza Sajid 6-4, 4-0 (retd) to win the Masters Cup title.Men's Doubles Final: Due to inclement weather, the match was abandoned at 3-all, and both teams, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi/Aqeel Khan and Shahzad Khan/Mohammad Abid, were declared joint winners.The closing ceremony was attended by Syed Fahim Inam, Chief Marketing Officer, Serena Hotels, as the chief guest, and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President-PTF, as the guest of honour. Other notable attendees included Major Suleman Junaid SEVP-PTF, Suhail Khawaja SVP-PTF , Saeed Ahmad Khan SVP-PTF, Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail -Secretary General-PTF, Imran Hassan-Serena Hotels, Col. Gul Rehman-PTF, Sidra Zaheer -Serena Hotels and a large number of players, parents, coaches, and media representatives.Syed Fahim Inam, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, and Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail distributed prizes among the winners and runners-up, congratulated them on their achievements. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Aziz Boolani, CEO of Serena Hotels, for his unwavering support and immense encouragement for Pakistan's tennis players.

Lahore (PR): HBL PSL X tickets will go on sale online from Thursday, 3 April, at 3pm PKT as the marquee event is all set to commence from 11 April. The six-team tournament will be played at the four cities – Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, with the final scheduled at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 18 May.Physical tickets will go on sale at designated TCS express centres (infographic attached) from 7 April onwards. Tickets booked online can also be collected from TCS designated pick-up centres or can be home-delivered by TCS. The tickets will be available to fans at an affordable rate, with general tickets available to fans at PKR 650 at all four venues. The tickets for the opening match scheduled at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars will be available from PKR 1,000 to PKR 8,500.