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Pakistan’s Under-21 hockey team has departed for Muscat to take part in a five-match Test series against Oman’s senior national side, giving the country’s emerging players a valuable opportunity to gain international experience against more seasoned opposition. The young Pakistan squad left for Oman on Monday, accompanied by head coach and Olympian Ayaz Mahmood, coach and Olympian Sameer Hussain, and coach Azfar Yaqoob. The series is being viewed as an important step in the development of Pakistan’s junior hockey players, particularly as they prepare to transition from age-group competition to the demands of senior international hockey. The first Test will be played on July 29, followed by the second on July 31. The third match is scheduled for August 1, while the fourth Test will take place on August 2. The five-match series will conclude with the final Test on August 4. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) believes the exposure will help the young players understand the pace, physical demands and pressure associated with international hockey. PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani extended his best wishes to the team before its departure and said the decision to send the players to Oman was aimed at boosting their confidence and providing them with meaningful international exposure. “Our junior players will gain confidence when they compete against foreign teams at the international level,” Wani said, stressing the importance of giving promising players opportunities to perform outside the domestic circuit. The series against Oman’s senior team could prove particularly useful for Pakistan’s youngsters because they will be competing against players with greater experience and exposure to high-level hockey. Such matches can help young athletes identify weaknesses, improve decision-making and develop the composure required in competitive international fixtures. For Pakistan, the tour is also an opportunity to assess the depth of its emerging talent. With the national side looking to strengthen its future pool of players, regular international exposure at the Under-21 level could play a key role in preparing the next generation for senior hockey. The five-Test format will provide the players with multiple opportunities to adapt. Rather than relying on a single match, the youngsters will have to recover quickly, learn from mistakes and make tactical adjustments throughout the series. The tour also gives the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate players under challenging conditions and identify individuals capable of progressing to the senior national setup. As Pakistan’s junior players prepare to take on Oman’s senior side, the series promises to be more than a collection of practice matches. It represents a test of character, confidence and readiness—and potentially another important chapter in the development of Pakistan hockey’s next generation.

Pakistan’s batting frailties remain a major concern after a disappointing display in the opening Test against the West Indies, where the visitors failed to chase a modest target and suffered a heavy defeat. Set 211 runs for victory, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure and was dismissed for just 120, raising fresh questions about the team’s ability to perform in challenging conditions. The collapse exposed familiar weaknesses against disciplined fast bowling, with only former captain Babar Azam showing resistance. Remaining unbeaten on 58, Babar stood firm while wickets continued to tumble around him, but his lone effort was not enough to keep Pakistan in the contest. The batting unit struggled to build partnerships from the outset as the West Indies bowlers exploited the conditions brilliantly. The pace attack maintained consistent line and length, making the most of the bowler-friendly surface to keep the Pakistani batters under constant pressure. Regular breakthroughs prevented Pakistan from gaining any momentum during the chase. Apart from Babar’s fighting knock, no batter managed to make a meaningful contribution. Several players got starts but failed to convert them into significant scores, allowing the West Indies to dominate throughout the innings. Poor shot selection and an inability to adapt to the conditions further compounded Pakistan’s problems. The defeat also highlighted the struggles of Pakistan’s middle order. Captain Salman Ali Agha endured a disappointing outing, failing to make an impact in either innings of the Test. His inability to anchor the innings or guide the lower order placed additional pressure on the rest of the batting lineup. Experienced wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan also had a forgettable match. Known for his resilience and ability to perform under pressure, Rizwan was unable to deliver in both innings, leaving Pakistan without the stability they often rely on in difficult situations. His lack of runs was a significant setback for the visitors. With the series now moving to Port of Spain, Pakistan will need a much-improved batting performance if they hope to level the contest. The top and middle order must take greater responsibility, particularly against a confident West Indies bowling attack that has already shown its ability to exploit weaknesses. Babar Azam’s unbeaten half-century remains one of the few positives from the defeat, demonstrating that success is possible even in demanding conditions with the right approach. However, Pakistan cannot depend on one batter alone. Greater contributions are needed from senior players, especially Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan, if the team is to bounce back. As the second Test approaches, Pakistan face a crucial opportunity to respond. A stronger batting display will be essential if they are to challenge the West Indies, keep the series alive, and restore confidence after a disappointing start.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has completed the election process for the Islamabad Regional Cricket Association (IRCA), with Mohammad Jawad Akhtar elected as president and Arsam Farooq Ahmed chosen as secretary for the next three years. According to an official notification issued by PCB Election Commissioner Mansoor Qadir on Thursday, both candidates were elected unopposed, allowing them to assume office immediately without a formal contest. The appointments mark another milestone in the PCB’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and improve the administrative framework of regional cricket across Pakistan. As office-bearers of one of the country’s key regional associations, Jawad Akhtar and Arsam Farooq Ahmed will be responsible for overseeing cricket development in Islamabad and implementing the PCB’s domestic cricket vision. The newly elected officials are expected to focus on expanding grassroots cricket, improving talent identification, and ensuring that promising young players receive better opportunities to progress through Pakistan’s domestic cricket system. Regional cricket associations serve as the backbone of the country’s cricket structure. They organise local tournaments, manage club and district competitions, coordinate coaching and development programmes, and create pathways for talented cricketers to reach the national domestic circuit. With Islamabad continuing to produce several promising players in recent years, expectations are high that the new leadership will further enhance the region’s cricketing infrastructure and provide stronger support for clubs, academies and emerging athletes. The PCB has repeatedly emphasised the importance of transparent administration and efficient regional governance as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen Pakistan’s domestic cricket. Stable leadership at the regional level is viewed as essential for nurturing future international stars and maintaining a competitive domestic structure. Jawad Akhtar and Arsam Farooq Ahmed now begin their three-year tenure with the responsibility of working closely with the PCB, local stakeholders and cricket clubs to promote the game throughout the federal capital. Their immediate priorities are expected to include improving player development programmes, supporting age-group competitions and ensuring effective coordination between regional and national cricket bodies. The successful completion of the Islamabad Regional Cricket Association elections reflects the PCB’s broader commitment to building a stronger, more organised domestic cricket system. With new leadership now in place, attention will turn to how the association translates administrative stability into meaningful progress for cricket in Islamabad and contributes to the continued growth of Pakistan’s talent pipeline.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to bring private investors into the commercial management of the FIFA World Cup has suffered another major setback after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) formally rejected the plan. In a statement issued on Friday, the AFC announced that it stands alongside the European and North, Central American, and Caribbean football confederations in opposing the proposal. The confederation said the plan lacks the broad international support needed to move forward and warned that it could weaken the unity of global football. The AFC stressed that the FIFA World Cup belongs to the entire football community and should remain a competition shaped collectively by all member associations and confederations. It argued that decisions involving the future of the tournament should only be made after meaningful consultation with all stakeholders. The Asian governing body also criticized FIFA’s decision-making process, saying major proposals were introduced before proper discussions with confederations and member associations. It claimed the approach left many football authorities feeling excluded from an issue of global importance. The latest opposition significantly reduces the chances of the proposal being approved if it is presented for a vote. FIFA has 211 member associations, and a simple majority would be required for the plan to pass. With Europe, Asia, and Concacaf already opposed, the proposal faces strong resistance. Earlier, UEFA warned it could boycott future FIFA World Cups if the proposal moves ahead. Concacaf also rejected the plan, arguing that football’s biggest tournament should not become a commercial investment asset. Despite the growing backlash, FIFA has defended its proposal. The organization insists that it is not selling football but instead seeking new ways to strengthen the financial future of the game. FIFA says the planned reforms would attract investment, increase tournament revenues, and provide larger financial distributions to its member associations in the coming years. Under the proposal, FIFA would establish a new commercial subsidiary to manage its major competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. Outside investors would be allowed to purchase minority, non-controlling stakes in the new company while FIFA retains overall control. According to the governing body, the investment model would help expand football development programs, generate new business opportunities, and improve long-term financial sustainability. However, critics remain unconvinced. They argue that introducing private investors into the commercial structure of the World Cup risks prioritizing profits over the interests of players, supporters, and national associations. Opponents also say the process has lacked transparency and adequate consultation. The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has not yet announced its position on the proposal, while the African (CAF) and Oceania (OFC) confederations are expected to discuss the matter in the coming weeks.