2nd ODI: Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 142 runs

Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 142 runs in the second One Day International of three match series in Chattogram last night.

Bating first, Afghanistan set a victory target of 332 for the loss of nine wickets in allotted fifty overs.

In reply, Bangladesh were all out for 189 in 43.2 overs.

Afghanistan lead the series 2-0.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan wins gold, 2 bronze medals in SA Bodybuilding C’ship

Pakistan has claimed one gold and two bronze medals in the South Asian Bodybuilding Championship held in Maldives’ capital Male.

Shahzad Qureshi of Pakistan won the gold medal in the 80 kg category and handed an upsetting defeat to two strong Indian bodybuilders.

Similarly, Pakistan’s Ibrahim Khan won the bronze medal in the 75 kg category of the junior category while Shahidullah won the bronze medal in the 75 kg category.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Forms Committee to Decide Pakistan’s Participation in World Cup 2023

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a committee to decide the participation of Pakistan in the World Cup to be held in India.

The 14-member committee, led by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, comprises influential figures from various ministries and departments who will assess the situation.

The committee has the authority to thoroughly assess matters, including security situations, and deliberate on the participation of the team in the World Cup. Sources indicate that the committee will present its recommendations to Prime Minister Shehbaz, who will make the final decision.

Last week, the PCB formally wrote to the PM, as well as the ministries of interior and foreign affairs, seeking official clearance for the national team to travel to India.

In the letter, it mentioned nine league matches across five cities, with a clash against India set to take place in Ahmedabad on October 15.

Last month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially announced the schedule for the upcoming tournament, which is set to take place in India later this year. The event, featuring the top ten teams, is scheduled to kick off on October 5 and conclude on November 19, with a total of 48 matches to be played across ten different venues.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Pakistan wins gold, 2 bronze medals in SA Bodybuilding C’ship

Pakistan has claimed one gold and two bronze medals in the South Asian Bodybuilding Championship held in Maldives’ capital Male.

Shahzad Qureshi of Pakistan won the gold medal in the 80 kg category and handed an upsetting defeat to two strong Indian bodybuilders.

Similarly, Pakistan’s Ibrahim Khan won the bronze medal in the 75 kg category of the junior category while Shahidullah won the bronze medal in the 75 kg category.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Babar Reveals First-Choice Keeper Between Sarfaraz and Rizwan for SL Tests

Pakistan’s all-format captain, Babar Azam, has opened up about the inclusion of Sarfaraz Ahmed in the playing XI in the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

Speaking to the media in Karachi, Babar Azam said that the former captain has played outstanding cricket in the last series and will be the first choice for the playing XI.

However, the Lahore-born cricketer added that he will assess the conditions in Sri Lanka and make the decision after consulting the team management.

“We will make a final decision after reaching there and looking at the combination. We will select the best possible team,” Babar Azam said.

Responding to the question regarding resting the vice-captain, the right-handed batter stated that it does not affect the performance of the team if the vice-captain does not play.

It is worth noting that the Babar Azam-led side will tour Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series commencing on July 16, while the second game is scheduled from July 24 to 28.

The Champions Trophy-winning captain performed really well during the two-match Test series against New Zealand this year, concluding the series as the leading run-scorer.

The right-handed batter scored 335 runs in four innings at an average of 83.75, including one century and three half-centuries, helping the side to end the series in a draw.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Pakistan Volleyball Team’s Departure for Taiwan Delayed Due to Non-Issuance of NOC

Pakistan is facing a major setback as it is forced to withdraw from the upcoming Asian Volleyball Challenge Cup 2023 due to the denial of NOC by the Foreign Ministry.

The event, organized by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) in collaboration with the Chinese Taipei Volleyball Association (CTVBA), is set to commence on July 8.

With high hopes of competing on the international stage, the Men in Green were preparing to depart for Taiwan today, pending the fulfillment of necessary requirements.

However, the Foreign Office in Pakistan failed to issue the crucial NOC that would have granted permission for their participation, shattering the dreams of the national players.

The consequences of withdrawal from the event are likely to extend beyond the loss of a sporting opportunity, with PVF now facing the possibility of a significant financial penalty.

While the exact amount of the fine remains undisclosed, speculations in the media suggest that it could reach as high as Rs10 million, a significant loss for the federation.

As per the schedule, the Men in Green had been placed in Group E along with strong teams from Australia and Vietnam. Their campaign was supposed to start on July 8.

The move has also raised concerns regarding the Asian Championship in Iran and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, scheduled in August and September, respectively.

Speaking exclusively with ProPakistani, Spokesperson for Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) categorically denied reports of a ban on participation in future events.

He added that the NOC has been delayed due to the China-Taiwan conflict. The federation is in talks with SAPM Youth Affairs Shaza Fatima for the issuance of NOC. Meanwhile, the team is at the airport just in case NOC is issued today.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Pakistan Women’s Team to Tour England for White-Ball Series in 2024

Pakistan women’s squad will tour England in May 2024 for three T20Is and three ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 fixtures.

The tour will commence with the first T20I in Birmingham on 11 May with the remaining two matches in Northampton (17 May) and Leeds (19 May). Derby, Taunton and Chelmsford will stage the three ODIs on 23, 26 and 29 May, respectively.

England is ranked second and Pakistan seventh in the ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings, while Pakistan (10 points) is currently third in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 and England seventh (six points) with one less series of three ODIs. England’s third series in the Championship is against Australia from 12-18 July.

The series against England will be Pakistan women’s last series in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25. They will kick-start their 2023-24 season by hosting South Africa in Karachi from 1-14 September, which will be followed by series against Bangladesh (October/November, away), New Zealand (November/December, away) and West Indies (April/May, home).

In the three ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 series to date, Pakistan have defeated Sri Lanka (2-1) and Ireland (3-0), while they were beaten 3-0 by world champions Australia earlier this year.

Match Date Venue

1st T20I 11 May Edgbaston, Birmingham

2nd T20I 17 May The County Ground, Northampton

3rd T20I 19 May Headingley, Leeds

1st ODI 23 May Derby

2nd ODI 26 May Taunton

3rd ODI 29 May Chelmsford

Source: Pro Pakistani

Naila Kiani Becomes First Pakistani Woman to Climb Nanga Parbat

Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani has once again made history by becoming the first Pakistani woman to successfully summit Nanga Parbat on Sunday.

Naila Kiani was part of a group of approximately 40 climbers, including both local and foreign adventurers, who embarked on the challenging journey to conquer the formidable Nanga Parbat, famously known as the ‘Killer Mountain’ due to its perilous nature and high fatality rate.

Standing tall at an imposing height of 8,126 meters, Nanga Parbat presents a daunting and treacherous ascent, fraught with risks such as unstable glaciers, avalanches, and unpredictable weather conditions.

Among the Pakistani climbers in the group were Wajidullah Nagar and Samina Baig, both of whom showcased their exceptional skills and determination throughout the expedition.

The Secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Karrar Haidri, confirmed Naila Kiani’s remarkable achievement, stating, “Today, on July 2, 2023, at 10:18 am, Naila Kiani successfully reached the majestic summit of Nanga Parbat, marking her as the first Pakistani woman to conquer this formidable peak.”

He further added, “With this accomplishment, Naila has now conquered seven out of the world’s towering 8,000-meter peaks, solidifying her position as one of the most talented climbers of our time. Her impressive feats include scaling legendary Mount Everest, the challenging K2, the commanding Lhotse, the perilous Annapurna, and the elusive G1 and G2.”

Naila Kiani’s unwavering determination, unmatched abilities, and indomitable spirit continue to inspire countless mountaineers and adventure enthusiasts around the globe. She serves as a shining example of how individuals can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles through perseverance and courage.

It is worth noting that earlier, renowned Pakistani mountaineer Sajid Sadpara successfully conquered Nanga Parbat without the assistance of supplementary oxygen and sherpas, further showcasing the remarkable achievements of Pakistani climbers on the world’s most challenging peaks.

Source: Pro Pakistani