Author name: NEN News

LAHORE — Pakistan batter Maaz Sadaqat will be sidelined for at least two weeks following a successful appendix surgery. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the news on Sunday. Surgical Procedure and Medical Details The left-handed batsman underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy at a local hospital in Lahore. The minimally invasive procedure involves surgical removal of the appendix through small incisions. Laparoscopic surgery offers several advantages for athletes: Faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery Less post-operative pain Shorter hospital stays Smaller surgical scars These benefits make it the preferred method for appendix removal among professional cricketers. Recovery Timeline for Pakistan Batter The two-week recovery timeline means Maaz Sadaqat will miss immediate cricket commitments. His return to competitive play will depend on post-surgery rehabilitation progress. Medical clearance from PCB doctors will be required before Sadaqat can resume training. The PCB medical team will monitor his recovery closely over the coming weeks. Impact on Pakistan Squad Selection The PCB has not yet announced a replacement for Maaz Sadaqat in the squad. Officials have not provided specific details on which upcoming fixtures will be affected by his absence. The Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to make an announcement regarding squad changes in the coming days. The timing of Sadaqat’s recovery will determine his availability for future series and matches.

LONDON — Pakistan captain Fatima Sana 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 Drives Women’s Cricket Development in Pakistan Fatima Sana credited the ICC for raising awareness about women’s cricket across Pakistan. She made these comments at the Captains’ Carnival in London on Sunday. “I think the ICC takes a lot of initiative about women’s cricket, so everyone knows about the game in Pakistan,” Sana said. 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 World Cup Group 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 believes 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 Captain Highlights Rapid Development 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 and Pakistan’s domestic tournament landscape. Match-Winning Performance by Shahzaib Khan Opening batter Shahzaib Khan delivered a match-winning performance 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 National T20 Cup tournament. Bowling Attack Dismantles Karachi Whites Abbottabad’s bowlers laid the foundation for victory by dismantling Karachi Whites with a disciplined performance. The bowling attack restricted the opposition to a modest total through tight line and length. The bowlers created consistent pressure throughout the innings. Their stellar display provided the perfect platform for the batters to chase comfortably. Historic Victory at Gaddafi Stadium The emphatic nine-wicket margin underlined Abbottabad’s complete control throughout the final. The team reached the target without losing a single wicket during the chase, showcasing their superiority. The 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 development. The victory highlights the growing strength of regional teams in national tournaments and opens new possibilities for cricket talent from smaller regions across Pakistan.

Championship Schedule and Venue The District Sports Department will organize 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 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 across multiple disciplines. Key Competition Details Table tennis championship on June 9 at 3:30 p.m. Athletics events scheduled for June 10 Teams representing all four tehsils of Khanewal Winners advance to Multan Division inter-district competitions Youth Sports Development Initiative The District Sports Department organizes 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. The multi-sport approach allows young athletes to participate in various disciplines. This creates pathways for talent development at the divisional level.

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 Pakistan U18 hockey 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 the team’s achievement on the international stage. Commanding 3-0 Victory Secures Asia Cup Bronze The Pakistan U18 hockey team secured third place with a commanding 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 tournament pressure Tournament Performance Highlights Youth Potential The bronze medal represents a significant achievement for Pakistan’s youth hockey development program. The team competed against top Asian nations throughout the championship in Japan. This podium finish marks an important step for the Pakistan U18 hockey team in rebuilding the country’s hockey legacy at the grassroots level. PHF President Commends Young Athletes 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 Pakistan Hockey 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 Pakistan hockey coaching programme 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) announced the launch of the District Football Championship 2026 on Monday. This nationwide competition aims to revitalise grassroots football across Pakistan. The tournament will strengthen domestic football structures in all regions. Nationwide Platform for Emerging Football Talent The championship will serve as a platform for identifying emerging talent at the district level. The federation designed the tournament to widen the pipeline for professional football development. District-level competitions will provide opportunities for young players to showcase their skills. The approach aims to create a robust talent identification system. The PFF plans to cover all regions of Pakistan through this initiative. This ensures every district has equal opportunity to participate in the championship. Key Objectives of the Championship The District Football Championship 2026 focuses on four primary goals: Identify talented players at grassroots level Strengthen domestic football infrastructure Provide competitive opportunities for district teams Create pathways to professional football Rebuilding Pakistan’s Football Infrastructure The announcement signals a renewed push by the PFF to rebuild the sport from the ground up. This initiative follows years of administrative turbulence that 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. This bottom-up approach aims to create sustainable football structures nationwide. The tournament marks a significant step toward revitalising Pakistan’s football ecosystem.