Commonwealth Games 2022 Archives

Dar’s fifty goes in vain as Barbados hand Pakistan crushing defeat in CWG

BIRMINGHAM: Captain Hayley Matthews and Kycia Knight starred as Barbados Women thumped Pakistan Women by 15 runs in their opening match of the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022.

Set to chase 145, Pakistan fell 15 runs short as the Green Shirts could only manage to score 129/6 in the allotted 20 overs despite a brilliant half-century by all-rounder Nida Dar.

The Green Shirts found themselves in trouble early on in the run chase as the side lost four wickets at a combined score of 49 in the 11th over with the captain Bismah Maroof being the latest casualty, who struggled for her 12 off 28 deliveries.

Dar was the exception in the dismal batting show displayed by Pakistan as she scored an unbeaten 50 at a quick pace; facing a mere 31 deliveries and smashed eight boundaries including a six.

Another Pakistan all-rounder Aliya Riaz, nonetheless, also found it hard to keep going as she could only score 14 off 24 deliveries.

Following the top order failure and snail-pace knocks of Bismah and Aliya, Pakistan remained 15 runs short of the target as Dar’s valiant effort went in vain.

For Barbados, Shamilia Connell, Aaliyah Alleyne, Matthews, and Deandra Dottin made one scalp each.

Batting first, Barbados finished at a commendable 144/4 in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to the important half-centuries from Matthews and Knight.

Barbados’ start to their innings remained shunned as the side lost their opener Dottin for a combined score of mere nine in the first over, who could only score eight of five deliveries.

Following the early trouble, Matthews and Knight stood up for their team and put Barbados in the commanding position with a magnificent 107-run partnership for the second wicket as both scored fifties.

Matthews lost her way in the 18th over, soon after reaching her half-century and scored 51 off 50 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and a six. Knight, on the other hand, top-scored for the side with an unbeaten 62 off 56 deliveries with the help of nine boundaries.

Besides the dynamic duo, no other Barbados batter could manage to score into the double figures while 14 runs came in as extras.

For Pakistan, Fatima Sana bagged two wickets but remained expensive, while Diana Baig struck out a batter.

READ: Swiatek powers past Lee into Warsaw quarter-finals

Gardner neutralizes Renuka’s brilliance to stun India in CWG opener

BIRMINGHAM: Indian pacer Renuka Singh dismantled Australia’s top order before Ashleigh Gardner stole the show with a valiant 52 not-out and powered her side to a thrilling victory over India in the Commonwealth Games 2022 opener.

Coming out to bat at 34/4 while chasing 155, Australia’s middle-order batter Gardner displayed sheer grit as she steered her side over the line with an astonishing and unbeaten knock of 52.

The right-handed batter stopped the flow of wickets for India with her valiant effort and at the same time kept Australia in the hunt as she ticked the scoreboard at a decent pace. Gardner remained unbeaten on 52 off 35 deliveries, laced with nine boundaries.

Right-handed batter Grace Harris remained the other notable run-getter as she chipped in with a valuable 37 off a mere 20 deliveries with the help of five boundaries and two sixes.

Harris, alongside Gardner, put on an important 51-run partnership for the sixth wicket to strengthen Australia’s position in the game.

Following Harris’ dismissal, Gardner then joined hands with Alana King and put on an astounding 47-run unbeaten partnership for the second wicket which powered Australia to claim a scintillating victory in 19 overs. King scored 18 off 16 deliveries.

For India, Renuka led the way with four wickets for a mere 18 runs, while Deepti Sharma claimed two. Meghna Singh, on the other hand, made one scalp.

Batting first, India finished at a commendable 154/8 in the allotted 20 overs at the back of an outstanding half-century from their skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and opening batter Shafali Verma, who remained two runs short of the milestone.

Kaur led from the front as she top scored for the side with 52 off 34 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries and a six, while Verma scored 48 off 33 balls including nine boundaries.

Opening batter Smriti Mandhana scored a quickfire 24 off 17 balls at top of the order to provide her side with a flying start. The rest of the Indian batters, however, remained unable to get into the double figures.

Lef-arm spinner Jess Jonassen was the pick of the bowlers for Australia as she bagged four wickets for 22, while Megan Schutt claimed two. Darcie Brown, however, struck out a batter.

READ: Pakistan off to a dismal start in Commonwealth Games 2022

Pakistan off to a dismal start in Commonwealth Games 2022

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan athletes remained unable to shine on the opening day of Commonwealth Games 2022 as several participants have been ruled out of the medal race.

As the 12th edition of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games kick-started on July 28, a number of Pakistan athletes remained unable to leave their mark as they struggled in various events.

National athlete Mohammad Afzal, who competed in three apparatuses in gymnastics, could not perform well and has been disqualified from the medal race. Whereas, Salman Baloch suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of his Indian rival in Boxing.

Additionally, the medal race for the swimming competition has seen the elimination of both national male and female swimmers. Haseeb Tariq, however, offered a glimmer of hope for the medal as he won the first round, but was unable to advance to the final as he finished 35th in the second.

The national badminton and women’s cricket teams, however, are yet to start their campaigns in the global event.

READ: Australian soil reaches Pakistan for PCB pitches initiative

Inam, Bismah lead Pakistan contingent in CWG 2022 opening ceremony

BIRMINGHAM: National wrestler Inam Butt and the captain of Pakistan women’s cricket team Bismah Maroof led the Pakistan contingent as the joint flag-bearers in the opening ceremony of Commonwealth Games 2022.

In a glittering ceremony, the Pakistan contingent reached for the march past with Bismah and Inam led as the flag-bearers.

The national contingent comprised 103 athletes, coaching staff and officials. Whereas, 68 athletes are partaking in 12 sports in the global event, out of which 27 athletes are female including a 15-member squad of the Pakistan women’s cricket team.

With cricket making its return to the games after a gap of 24 years, Pakistan women’s team will start their CWG campaign today as they take on Barbados. All cricket matches will be played in the T20 format.

Pakistan’s Badminton team, on the other hand, will lock horns with arch-rivals India in their first match, while several athletes will also start their campaign today.

It is pertinent to mention here that 22nd Commonwealth Games will take place here from July 28 to August 8.

READ: Malala Yousafzai addresses the opening ceremony of CWG 2022

Malala Yousafzai addresses the opening ceremony of CWG 2022

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan’s Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the recently-commenced Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022, emphasizing the importance of education for girls.

The glittering ceremony of the global event kick-started when Prince Charles, instead of Queen Elizabeth, read the message of the Queen before declaring the event open.

Malala, on the other hand, represented Pakistan in the star-studded opening ceremony and also emphasized the importance of education in her speech and also with a documentary, aired on the big screens in the stadium.

The Nobel Prize winner shed light on the need and importance of education for girls in the majority of her speech and termed it an honour to represent Pakistan in the CWG opening ceremony.

“I welcome everyone to Birmingham. The young athletes competing at the games are a reminder that every child deserves the chance to reach her full potential and pursue her wildest dreams,” she stated.

“I will continue to work for the rights of girls in Pakistan,” Malala maintained.

It is pertinent to mention here that 22nd Commonwealth Games will take place here from July 28 to August 8. As many as 68 Pakistani athletes are competing in 12 sports, out of which 27 athletes are female including a 15-member squad of the Pakistan women’s cricket team.

READ: Pakistan to announce squad for Netherlands ODIs next week: Sources

‘Goal is to win gold for Pakistan at Commonwealth Games’ Bismah Maroof

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan women’s team captain Bismah Maroof revealed her desire to win a gold medal for the country at the Commonwealth Games on the eve of its opening ceremony.

The women’s team skipper expressed her gratitude for being given the opportunity to bear the national flag at the opening ceremony of the event due today.

“It is a matter of great honour and pride to hold the national flag at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games,” she said.

Proud moment for @maroof_bismah and women’s cricket! 💫

The 🇵🇰 captain will carry the national flag along with @InamTheWrestler at the opening ceremony of the XXII Commonwealth Games 👏

Good luck to the Pakistan contingent 👍#CommonwealthGames2022 pic.twitter.com/iZWfFfoDn6

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 27, 2022

Meanwhile, she also aimed to bring a team gold medal for the country in the event, as women’s cricket will be featured in the Games for the first time in the T20 format.

“We are participating in the event for the first time. Our goal is to bring a gold medal to the country,” she hoped.

Furthermore, she extended her best wishes to all the compatriots participating in the event.

It is pertinent to mention here that 22nd Commonwealth Games will take place from July 28 to August 8 in Birmingham.

READ: Sri Lanka reclaim third spot as Pakistan slip to fifth in WTC standings

Two Pakistan Hockey players test COVID-19 positive ahead of CWG 2022

BIRMINGHAM: Two national Hockey players tested positive for COVID-19 amid the on-arrival testing of the Pakistan contingent that reached here to participate in the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2022.

As the Pakistan contingent landed in the country to compete in the forthcoming global event, two hockey players tested positive and have been sent to isolation.

According to the sources, the contracted players are Rana Abdul Waheed and goalkeeper Abdullah.

Besides COVID-19 testing, the doping control officer also conducted doping tests on two Pakistan hockey players and one national swimmer.

It is pertinent to mention here that the flag hoisting and opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games will take place on July 27 and 28 respectively.

National wrestler Inam Butt and captain of women’s cricket team Bismah Maroof will be the flag-bearers for the Pakistan contingent in the global event.

READ: Abdullah falls early before Babar, Imam take Pakistan to 71/1 at Tea

Inam, Bismah to be Pakistan’s flag-bearers in Commonwealth Games 2022

BIRMINGHAM: National wrestler Inam Butt and the captain of the women’s cricket team Bismah Maroof will be bearing the Pakistan flag at the opening ceremony of the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2022.

In a statement, released by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), the Secretary General Lt Gen (R) Syed Arif Hasan nominated Inam and Bismah as the flag-bearers for Pakistan contingent in the Commonwealth Games 2022.

Inam, who has claimed various medals in Commonwealth Games and also bagged a gold for Pakistan in the World Beach Games and as a result, has been nominated as one of the flag-bearers for the country.

Bismah, on the other hand, will be participating in her first Commonwealth Games. However, her services to the game of cricket in Pakistan has saw her earning the opportunity to lead Pakistan contingent in the global event.

Bismah’s daughter Fatima, who rose to fame during this year’s ICC Women’s World Cup will be accompanying her mother in the global event.

“Commonwealth Games Federation has kindly arranged her facilities to not only play but to look after her daughter, Fatima, during the Games. We cherish her athletic spirit, professionalism and motherhood with utmost respect and pride,” POA confirmed.

It is pertinent to mention here that 22nd Commonwealth Games will take place here from July 28 to August 8.

READ: Abdullah falls early before Babar, Imam take Pakistan to 71/1 at Tea

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra ruled out of CWG 2022 after injury

NEW DELHI: After he bagged a silver medal in the World Athletics Championships a few days ago, India’s Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra has been ruled out of the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2022 due to an injury.

According to the Indian media reports, the Javelin star communicated his inability to defend the title at the Commonwealth Games as he was not completely fit to participate in the event.

“Team India javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra had called me earlier today from the US to convey his inability to take part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games owing to fitness concerns.” Indian Olympic Association secretary general Rajeev Mehta said in a statement.

He further informed that after his participation in the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Chopra had an MRI scan done on Monday and, based on it, he had been advised a month’s rest by his medical team.

The 24-year-old athlete won the gold medal for the javelin throw at the 2018 Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia.

Moreover, he also created history for his country when he topped the javelin competition at last year’s Tokyo Olympics to become India’s first Olympic athletics gold medallist.

It is pertinent to mention here that Commonwealth Games will be held in Birmingham commencing on July 28.

READ: Ramesh stars as Sri Lanka cease Pakistan’s first innings for 231 on Day 3

Hockey team engages in mental fitness drills prior Commonwealth Games

LAHORE: National hockey team undertook mental fitness sessions and engaged in various drills under the guidance of a professional psychologist ahead of the Commonwealth Games scheduled later this month.

According to the details, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) hired the services of psychologist Maqbool Babri for the players’ mental strength training prior to their upcoming task.

During the session, Babri carried out special drills for the mental strength of the national team and delivered a productive lecture sharing useful tips with the players for keeping their nerves strong under pressure.

Pakistan hockey team’s head coach Siegfried Aikman and coach Sameer Hussain were also present on the occasion.

Moreover, the national hockey team will depart on July 24 to participate in the Commonwealth Games’ hockey event commencing on July 29.

The Green Shirts will start their Commonwealth campaign against South Africa on July 30 and will lock horns with New Zealand on July 31.

READ: Records tumble as Pakistan seal historic victory over Sri Lanka in first Test