Author: The Team PK

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has demonstrated its commitment to enhancing Pakistan’s sports landscape by allocating a significant Rs1.1 billion towards sports infrastructure development within the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26. This investment aims to bolster existing facilities and introduce new, state-of-the-art complexes to nurture athletic talent across the nation. Among the new initiatives, a flagship project stands out: the establishment of the Arshad Nadeem/Shehbaz Sharif High Performance Sports Academy at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad. Named in honour of Pakistan’s javelin throw sensation Arshad Nadeem and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, this academy is…

YANGON: Pakistan’s ambition to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup suffered another significant blow on Tuesday as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Myanmar at the Thuwunna Stadium. This result leaves Stephen Constantine’s side without a win or a point after two matches in Group ‘L’ of the final qualifying round, pushing them further from their ultimate goal. The loss sets up a challenging double-header against Afghanistan in October. Afghanistan, who were due to play Syria later on Tuesday, will undoubtedly be encouraged by Pakistan’s lackluster performance, particularly a toothless first half against Myanmar. Pakistan skipper Abdullah Iqbal…

LONDON: The cricketing world’s gaze turns to Lord’s this Wednesday as reigning champions Australia prepare to take on South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. However, the much-anticipated showdown is overshadowed by a growing chorus of criticism regarding the competition’s controversial format. Cricket’s venerable ‘bible’, Wisden, minced no words in its recent assessment. Editor Lawrence Booth, in this year’s edition, starkly labeled the WTC a “shambles masquerading as a showpiece.” Echoing this sentiment, former England captain Michael Atherton conceded that “everyone knows the WTC in its present guise is flawed.” A fundamental flaw highlighted by critics is the…

The Economic Survey 2024-25 sheds light on Pakistan’s concerted efforts towards women’s empowerment, recognizing their pivotal role in the nation’s socio-economic development. The survey underscores a multi-faceted approach, addressing various aspects from sports and financial autonomy to digital inclusion and social safety nets, all aimed at fostering a more prosperous and inclusive society. A significant highlight from the survey is the focus on integrating women into sports. Under the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, an impressive 250 women have been registered for boxing training, alongside 2,731 for cricket, for activities in FY2025. This initiative extends to encouraging young female athletes to…

Aryna Sabalenka delivered a stunning performance on Thursday to end Iga Swiatek’s dominant reign at Roland Garros and secure a place in her first-ever French Open final. The world number three defeated Swiatek 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-0 in a match that marked the end of the Pole’s 26-match win streak in Paris. Swiatek, a three-time French Open champion, was bidding to become the first woman in over a century to win four consecutive titles at Roland Garros. But Sabalenka, known for her aggressive baseline game, held her nerve in the first-set tiebreak and then rebounded after losing the second set…

The Election Commission of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has officially announced the schedule for the upcoming elections of three national sports federations, to be held on June 20 at the PSB Coaching Centre on Ferozepur Road, Lahore. According to the press release issued Wednesday, the election timings are as follows: Alpine Club of Pakistan – 10:00 AM Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation – 2:30 PM Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation – 4:00 PM As per the official notification, the election day will begin with the Alpine Club of Pakistan at 10:00 AM, followed by the Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation elections at 2:30 PM,…

National snooker player Babar Masih has publicly called on the federal government and the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to acknowledge his remarkable achievements on the international stage. Speaking at a press conference, Babar expressed frustration over the lack of recognition and financial support despite winning numerous medals for Pakistan. Babar Masih, a prominent figure in Pakistan’s snooker scene, has represented the country in multiple international competitions, bringing home a strong medal tally. He claimed to have defeated India’s renowned player Pankaj Advani recently, underscoring his high skill level. Despite these accomplishments, Babar revealed that he has not received any official…

Polish cyclist Paweł Małaszko has made history by completing an extraordinary journey from Karachi to the K2 base camp, covering a total distance of 3,376 kilometers over 56 days. Starting his ‘K2 B.C Bike Expedition’ on April 4, he cycled 3,322 kilometers and trekked 54 kilometers carrying his bike on his back through some of the world’s most challenging terrains. Małaszko, 46, faced a wide range of extreme conditions, from scorching heat of 46°C in southern Pakistan to freezing -18°C temperatures in the high mountains. His journey included a massive elevation gain of 32,003 meters, highlighting the physical and mental…

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially declared the elections of the Islamabad Regional Cricket Association (IRCA) null and void following a decision by the adjudicator. This ruling comes after significant controversy surrounding the IRCA elections held in March 2023, which were challenged by several local cricket clubs. As a result, the PCB has removed all office bearers of the IRCA, including its head Shakil Shaikh, and barred them from carrying out any official duties. This latest development places Islamabad alongside other key regions like Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Multan, which are currently operating without elected cricket leadership. A common issue…

Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed its intention to send its team to Pakistan early next year for a white-ball cricket series, marking another step in strengthening cricket relations between the two nations. Todd Greenberg, CA’s chief executive, shared this update during an online media session, expressing enthusiasm for expanding tours to Pakistan and ongoing discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). According to the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2025–27, Australia is scheduled to tour Pakistan for three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in February and March 2026. Greenberg emphasized that Cricket Australia…