Tag: Commonwealth Games

BIRMINGHAM: The captain of Pakistan Men’s Hockey Team Umar Bhutta backed the Green Shirts’ performance in their opening match of the Commonwealth Games against South Africa.

Bhutta, while talking to this reporter here backed Pakistan’s 2-2 draw against South Africa and stated that the national team did well as they did not lose points, while also claiming that the team will go with full strength in their match against New Zealand.

“The national hockey team played well against South Africa. The match ended in a draw so we did not lose points,” Bhutta said.

“We will go all-out in the second match against New Zealand and win the match to make it to the semi-finals,” he maintained.

National Hockey team’s head coach Siegfried Aikman, on the other hand, remained hopeful to overcome the mistakes made in the first match and take on New Zealand with lifted spirits.

“We will work on the mistakes made in the first match and give our best in the next game. Our dribbling is good but we couldn’t get the penalty corner so we need to work on that,” Aikman stated.

“Pakistani players have the hunger to score goals and they are a really good side,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here that Afraz Hakeem’s late strike in the closing moments of the game, allowed the Green Shirts to secure a 2-2 draw against South Africa. Rizwan Ali was the other scorer, who struck in the first quarter.

READ: Afraz strikes late, Pakistan secure draw against South Africa in CWG

BIRMINGHAM: National player Nasir Iqbal starred in the Men’s Single Squash competition as he handed a crushing defeat to his Jamaican opponent Julian Morrison 3-0 in the Commonwealth Games 2022.

After a dismal start to their Commonwealth Games campaign, Pakistan found a moment to cherish as Nasir claimed the first victory for the nation in the global event.

In the Round of 64 of the Men’s Squash event, Nasir utterly outclassed Morrison by the scores of 3-0 and qualified for the next round. He dominated the Jamaican opponent in each set before running away with a scintillating victory.

Besides Squash, the country had a forgetful opening day at the Games as the national athletes including women’s cricket and badminton teams remained unable to taste success.

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.

READ: 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

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 

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 

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

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

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

KARACHI: Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has named 103 Pakistani athletes and officials for the upcoming Commonwealth Games Games 2022.

As per the details, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) will bear the expenses of 56 players out of the national contingent, whereas, the POA and national federations will fund the rest of the players.

Pakistan national women’s cricket team, who is in Ireland to participate in the tri-nation series, will be aided by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and will be joining the squad in Birmingham.

Pakistan’s Badminton team, on the other hand, which was reportedly sidelined from the national contingent from the Commonwealth Games, has been re-added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan contingent will depart for the United Kingdom on July 23 to participate in the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2022, scheduled from July 28 to August 8.

READ: ‘History tells you that India struggle against left-arm pacers’ Nasser

ISLAMABAD: The captain of the Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team Bismah Maroof is confident to put on a good show in the forthcoming tri-series in Ireland and Commonwealth Games as the side’s 10-day training concluded here.

Bismah-led Pakistan side will now depart for Belfast via Dubai on July 12 as the Green Shirts will take a two-day Eid Holidays tomorrow and on Monday.

The Pakistani contingent remained involved in various training sessions in the last nine-day period in Rawalpindi and Islamabad at the Pindi Cricket Stadium and House of Northern.

Despite the persistent rain in the region, the squad underwent indoor practice including improvised drills, nets sessions and scenario-based matches.

Besides batting and bowling drills, the Green Shirts also focused on fielding and physical fitness under the supervision of support staff, led by the head coach David Hemp.

Following their arduous training camp, captain Bismah is confident in her team’s ability to perform well against the formidable sides in the two important series despite persistent rain having hampered their preparations.

“Our preparations have suffered a bit due to the persistent rains as we could not play practice matches, we had to hence shift our focus to fitness more. We tried to make most of the indoor facility we were provided and that did come as a good help to the side amid the weather challenges,” Bismah stated.

“The tri-series in Ireland provides us a good opportunity of acclimatising to the conditions ahead of the Commonwealth Games. We have a good team combination with youngsters like Tuba Hassan, Ayesha Naseem and Fatima Sana providing real energy, skill and talent, they are the ones for the future and this tour is a real opportunity for them to make a big impression,” she added.

“At the Commonwealth Games, we would take on the challenge of playing formidable opponents as to succeed there we need to beat the big teams, our aim would be to target a victory,” she concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan will play their first match of the tri-series against Australia on July 16. The side will play Australia and Ireland twice in the competition before the top two sides will go on to compete in the final.

The contingent will then fly to Birmingham to participate in the Commonwealth Games and will take on Barbados on July 29 to start their campaign before taking on the arch-rivals India on July 31 and Australia on August 3. All cricket matches of the Commonwealth Games will be staged at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham.

Squad: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gul Feroza (wicketkeeper), Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper), Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan.

Support staff: Ayesha Ashhar (Manager), David Hemp (Head coach), Saleem Jaffer (Bowling coach), Muhammad Zubair Ahmed (Analyst) and Rifat Asghar Gill (Physiotherapist).

Pakistan’s fixtures:

Tri-series at Belfast

16 July – v Australia
19 July – v Ireland
23 July – v Australia
24 July – v Ireland

Commonwealth Games at Birmingham

29 July – v Barbados
31 July – v India
3 August – v Australia

READ: Mendis, Karunaratne keep Sri Lanka in the hunt after Jayasuriya’s six-for