Author name: NEN News

LONDON — Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has praised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for driving the growth of women’s cricket in Pakistan. The captain spoke ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup set to begin on 12 June in England. ICC’s Role in Women’s Cricket Development “I think the ICC takes a lot of initiative about women’s cricket, so everyone knows about the game in Pakistan,” Sana said at the Captains’ Carnival in London on Sunday. She emphasized the significance of Pakistan hosting the next World Cup. “And finally, we got the chance to host the next World Cup in Pakistan, so that’s also a good thing — I think a lot really depends on this tournament,” the Pakistan captain added. Pakistan Face Tough Group Stage Challenge Pakistan are placed in Group 1 alongside formidable opponents in the tournament. The group features some of the strongest teams in women’s cricket. Pakistan’s Group 1 opponents include: Six-time champions Australia India South Africa Bangladesh Netherlands Sana said strong performances in the tournament could translate into broader public support back home. The captain hopes success will boost the profile of women’s cricket in Pakistan. Regional Growth in Women’s Cricket Bangladesh’s Rising Profile Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty echoed similar sentiments about regional development. She pointed to rapid growth in her country’s women’s game over recent years. “Women’s cricket in Bangladesh is growing really fast as we have been playing through the years — it has actually inspired a lot of young players back home,” Joty said. Netherlands Make Historic World Cup Debut Netherlands captain Babette De Leede expressed excitement about her team’s maiden World Cup appearance. Her side qualified after winning five consecutive matches in the Global Qualifiers. “We’ve never been to a T20 World Cup and we hope to inspire a lot of girls back home,” De Leede said. The Netherlands team aims to make their mark in their debut tournament.

LAHORE — Abbottabad clinched their first-ever ABS Developers National T20 Cup title on Sunday with a commanding nine-wicket victory over Karachi Whites at Gaddafi Stadium. The historic win marked a watershed moment for the region’s cricket. Shahzaib Khan’s Match-Winning Innings Opening batter Shahzaib Khan anchored the successful chase with an unbeaten half-century. His composed knock guided Abbottabad to their maiden national championship with minimal fuss. Khan’s patient yet authoritative batting display set the tone for the team’s dominant performance. The opener remained not out as Abbottabad cruised to victory in the 2025-26 edition of the tournament. Bowling Unit Lays Foundation Abbottabad’s bowlers had earlier dismantled Karachi Whites with a disciplined performance. The bowling attack restricted the opposition to a modest total. Their tight line and length created consistent pressure throughout the innings. The bowling unit’s stellar display created the perfect platform for the batters to chase comfortably. Historic Victory at Gaddafi Stadium The emphatic nine-wicket margin underlined Abbottabad’s complete dominance throughout the final. The team reached the target without losing a single wicket during the chase. Their comprehensive performance at the prestigious Gaddafi Stadium venue marked a historic moment in regional cricket. Abbottabad’s maiden National T20 Cup title represents a significant achievement for Pakistan’s domestic cricket landscape.

Championship Details and Schedule The District Sports Department will organise the Chief Minister Punjab Table Tennis Championship 2026 at the Sports Gymnasium, Khanewal, on June 9. Competition begins at 3:30 p.m. Boys’ and girls’ teams from all four tehsils of the district will compete in the championship. Winning teams will advance to inter-district competitions scheduled in Multan Division. Athletics Events Follow on June 10 Athletics competitions will take place on June 10. The events will feature boys’ and girls’ teams from all four tehsils of Khanewal. These competitions form part of the department’s annual sports calendar. The multi-sport format provides diverse opportunities for young athletes. Promoting Youth Sports Participation The District Sports Department organises these events to promote grassroots sports participation. The initiative aims to enhance youth engagement across the district. The program provides opportunities for young athletes to showcase their talents. Successful competitors will advance to higher-level competitions in the division.

KARACHI — Pakistan’s Under-18 hockey team received a ceremonial welcome at Jinnah International Airport on Monday. The young athletes returned home after winning the bronze medal at the Men’s U18 Asia Cup in Kakamigahara, Japan. Hero’s Welcome at Karachi Airport Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) officials warmly greeted the team upon arrival. The reception committee included PHF Development Committee head and Olympic legend Hassan Sardar. Customs authorities at the airport presented a formal salute to the bronze medallists. The gesture recognized their achievement on the international stage. Commanding 3-0 Victory Over Malaysia Pakistan secured third place with a dominant 3-0 victory over Malaysia in the bronze medal match. The team finished their Asia Cup campaign on the podium with a disciplined display. The shutout victory demonstrated the squad’s strengths in multiple areas: Solid defensive organization Clinical offensive execution Mental resilience under pressure PHF Leadership Applauds Young Talent PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani commended the squad for their dedication and resilience. He stated the bronze medal reflected the fighting spirit that has long defined Pakistan hockey. Wani expressed confidence in the players as the future of the national game. He pledged the federation’s full support for their continued development and progression to senior levels.

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and Pakistan Arab Refinery Company (PARCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday to support a nationwide coaching education programme. The initiative aims to revive the country’s struggling hockey infrastructure through comprehensive grassroots development. PHF-PARCO Partnership Details PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani signed the agreement on behalf of the federation. The partnership marks a significant step toward rebuilding Pakistan’s hockey foundation. The initiative is designed to strengthen grassroots development across Pakistan. It will rebuild the coaching pipeline at all levels of the game, from district to national level. Pakistan’s Field Hockey Legacy Pakistan is a three-time Olympic gold medallist in field hockey. The nation has won numerous international tournaments and championships throughout its history. However, Pakistan’s global standing has declined sharply over the past two decades. The national team has struggled to maintain its competitive edge in international hockey competitions. Private Sector Support for Sports Development Federations and sporting bodies have increasingly turned to private sector partnerships. These collaborations help fund developmental programmes in the absence of sufficient government support. PARCO’s involvement represents a crucial investment in Pakistan’s sporting infrastructure. Corporate partnerships have become essential for sustaining national sports programmes. Coaching Programme Implementation Strategy The coaching education programme will train coaches at regional and district levels. The goal is to identify and nurture hockey talent from the ground up across the country. This systematic approach aims to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled coaches. They will be equipped to develop the next generation of Pakistani hockey players and rebuild the national team’s competitive strength.

LAHORE — The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Monday announced the launch of the District Football Championship 2026, a nationwide competition aimed at revitalising grassroots football and strengthening domestic football structures across the country. Platform for Emerging Football Talent The federation said the championship would serve as a platform for identifying emerging talent at the district level. The tournament is designed to widen the pipeline for professional football development in Pakistan. District-level competitions will provide opportunities for young players to showcase their skills. This approach aims to create a robust talent identification system across all regions. Rebuilding Pakistan’s Football Infrastructure The announcement signals a renewed push by the PFF to rebuild the sport from the ground up. This initiative comes following years of administrative turbulence that had disrupted domestic football activity. The District Football Championship 2026 represents a strategic effort to restore stability. The federation is prioritising grassroots development to ensure long-term growth of the sport nationwide.