Category: Games

Lahore, The second day of the GSP CM Punjab Baseball League, orchestrated by the Pakistan Federation Baseball, showcased a significant participation of professional athletes and a distinguished array of international coaches at the FC Baseball Ground. The event is a part of a broader initiative to advance the sport of baseball in Pakistan.

According to Pakistan Federation Baseball, the day was marked by sessions led by notable foreign experts including MLB Pitching Coach Mikey Veston, batting specialist Justin, fielding expert Brian Furches, and strength and conditioning coach Bow. General Secretary Syed Fakhar Ali Shah welcomed the coaches, specifically acknowledging Veston’s impact on enhancing the training quality and helping raise the standard of baseball in the country.

The league’s progress reflects a concerted effort to blend local and international coaching prowess, which is anticipated to significantly contribute to the development of the sport in Pakistan. Shah expressed gratitude towards all the participants and organizers, highlighting the efforts of local coaches such as Nisar Ahmed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and others who have been vital in the execution of the league’s activities.

As the GSP CM Punjab Baseball League continues, it remains a focal point for fostering talent and enthusiasm for baseball within Pakistan, aiming to inspire both current athletes and future generations.

Karachi, The Pakistan and West Indies women’s cricket teams are set to begin a pivotal three-game ODI series on Thursday, April 18, as part of the ongoing ICC Women’s Championship. The matches, critical for both teams’ hopes of direct qualification for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, will take place in Karachi.

According to International Cricket Council, the series is especially significant for both teams, with Pakistan currently holding fifth place in the standings, having accrued 16 points from 18 games, while the West Indies lag behind in ninth place with 8 points from 9 games. Both teams come into the series following contrasting performances in their recent outings; Pakistan celebrated a historic win over New Zealand in a thrilling Super Over, marking their first ODI victory against the White Ferns. Conversely, the West Indies struggled in their last ODI series against Australia, despite a strong showing in the preceding T20Is.

The series offers both teams a chance to improve their standings and secure a spot among the top five teams who will gain direct entry to the World Cup, along with the host nation, India. The historical head-to-head record favors the West Indies, with 24 wins to Pakistan’s 10 in their 34 encounters. However, Pakistan’s captain Nida Dar expressed optimism about her team’s prospects, citing rigorous preparations and recent strong performances as reasons for confidence.

Hayley Matthews, the captain of the West Indies, acknowledged the challenges of playing against Pakistan in their home conditions but emphasized her team’s readiness following a training camp in Dubai designed to acclimate the players to the conditions they will face in Karachi.

The series, which also precedes a five-game T20I series between the two nations, will commence with the first ODI on April 18 at 09:30 local time, followed by the second on April 21 and the third on April 23.

Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s cricket team, led by Babar Azam, is gearing up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a crucial five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting Friday in Rawalpindi. This series is part of a broader preparation plan that includes a total of 12 matches against various teams before the World Cup.

According to International Cricket Council, Azam, who was recently reappointed as the white-ball captain, is optimistic about the team’s preparations. During a pre-series press conference, Azam highlighted the importance of the upcoming matches and the rigorous fitness camp the team completed in Kakul. He stressed the series as a vital opportunity for the team to gel and fine-tune their tactics ahead of the global tournament.

While Azam remained non-committal about the final World Cup squad composition, he indicated that the players participating in the upcoming series against New Zealand would likely form the core of the team. However, he also noted that the selection is not final and changes could occur based on performances in the lead-up to the World Cup. Azam also expressed satisfaction with the infusion of young talent into the team, praising their domestic performances and the structure supporting their transition to international cricket.

New Zealand, under the temporary leadership of Michael Bracewell, faces challenges due to the absence of several key players. However, Bracewell conveyed confidence in the ability of the newcomers to adapt quickly to the conditions in Pakistan and provide strong competition.

The series is not just a preparation for Pakistan but also a critical opportunity for New Zealand to test its less experienced players under challenging conditions.

Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s cricket team begins its preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Thursday with a five-match series against New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The series will see matches played in Rawalpindi and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, signaling a rigorous start to Pakistan’s campaign for the global tournament.

According to Pakistan Cricket Board, this series is crucial as it marks the return of Babar Azam as the white-ball captain and includes three uncapped players—Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan—in the 17-player squad. Veteran players Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim are also making a comeback, alongside fast bowler Naseem Shah, who returns after recovering from an injury sustained last year.

Azhar Mahmood debuts as the head coach of the men’s national team, aiming to leverage his previous experience as the team’s bowling coach to steer Pakistan in this significant pre-World Cup phase. Both teams view this series as pivotal, with New Zealand’s captain Michael Bracewell expressing confidence in his team’s ability to perform well in T20 formats and challenge Pakistan on their home turf.

The series is not only a preparation for the upcoming World Cup but also a continuation of the keen rivalry between Pakistan and New Zealand, following their recent encounters which saw each team securing a series win.

The first match is scheduled to start with a toss at 7 pm local time, followed by the first ball at 7:30 pm.

Karachi, The Pakistan women’s cricket team is set to face the West Indies in a three-match ODI series starting Thursday at the National Bank Stadium, as part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25. The series is pivotal for both teams, with Pakistan looking to climb higher from their fifth-place ranking and the West Indies aiming to improve from ninth.

According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the series will be broadcast live across several platforms, including A Sports HD and Geo Super, and will also be available on streaming services like ARY ZAP, Tamasha, and Tapmad. In an effort to boost attendance, entry to the National Bank Stadium will be free, with fans being encouraged to watch from the Javed Miandad Enclosure.

The teams are led by captains Nida Dar of Pakistan and Hayley Matthews of the West Indies, both of whom have expressed determination and readiness for the matches ahead. Dar emphasized the importance of the series for Pakistan’s qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup, noting intense preparations and a focus on building on recent successes. Matthews highlighted her team’s readiness to tackle the challenges of playing in Pakistan, bolstered by a training camp in Dubai.

The series will feature Claire Polosak from Australia as the on-field umpire for all matches, alongside a mix of local and international umpiring talent. Following the ODI series, the teams will compete in a five-match T20I series, also in Karachi, from April 26 to May 3.

The schedule for the ODI series is as follows: the first match on April 18, the second on April 21, and the third on April 23, with the first two matches starting at 0930 local time and the final match at 1530.

Faisalabad, The National Women’s One-Day Tournament, previously known as the Pakistan Cup Women’s Cricket Tournament, is set to begin in Faisalabad on Wednesday. The newly expanded and rebranded tournament will feature six regional teams competing in a double-league, 50-over format. Each team will play at least 10 matches, with the finals scheduled for 11 May.

According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the restructuring of the tournament reflects their ongoing support for and commitment to women’s cricket. The six teams participating are from Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, and Rawalpindi. The tournament carries a total prize money of PKR2.245 million, with the winners receiving PKR one million.

The competition will be held across several venues in Faisalabad, including the Jawad Club Cricket Ground, Iqbal Stadium, and Bohranwali Cricket Ground, with the Saeed Ajmal Academy Ground serving as the reserve venue.

Team captains include Omaima Sohail for Karachi, Kaynat Hafeez for Lahore, Saima Malik for Quetta, Humna Bilal for Multan, Gull Rukh for Peshawar, and Mahnoor Aftab for Rawalpindi. The opening matches on Wednesday feature Quetta vs. Rawalpindi at Jawad Cricket Club Ground, Karachi vs. Multan at Iqbal Stadium, and Peshawar vs. Lahore at Bohranwali Cricket Ground.

The tournament continues on Friday with three more matches scheduled, as the teams vie for top positions leading up to the finals.