Gilas Women ‘headed in right direction’ with morale-boosting win vs Senegal

  Pakistan received its first major success at the Commonwealth Games as national boxer Fatima Zahra secured a place in the women’s boxing semifinals, guaranteeing the country’s first medal of the tournament. Competing in the women’s 60kg weight category, Fatima Zahra delivered a dominant performance in the quarterfinals, defeating New Zealand’s Jordan Wilson by a unanimous 5-0 decision. With the victory, the Pakistani boxer advanced to the semifinals and ensured at least a bronze medal for her country under the competition’s boxing format. The quarterfinal bout took place at the SEC Hall Five in Glasgow, where Fatima Zahra displayed confidence, composure, and technical superiority throughout the contest. She controlled all three rounds with disciplined boxing, combining effective footwork, accurate punches, and strong defensive skills to keep her opponent under pressure from the opening bell until the final round. Her impressive display left no room for doubt among the judges. All five judges scored the contest in her favor, awarding her a comprehensive unanimous decision victory over Jordan Wilson. The result marked one of Pakistan’s most significant achievements at the ongoing Commonwealth Games and provided an early boost to the country’s medal hopes. According to the boxing competition rules, every athlete who reaches the semifinals is guaranteed at least a bronze medal, as there is no third-place playoff. By advancing to the last four, Fatima Zahra officially secured Pakistan’s first medal of the Games, regardless of the outcome of her semifinal contest. The achievement is another milestone in Fatima Zahra’s growing international career. She has consistently represented Pakistan on the global stage and has already established herself as one of the country’s leading female boxers. Her latest success reflects both her dedication and the steady progress she has made through years of hard work and international competition. This is not the first time Fatima Zahra has won a medal for Pakistan at a major sporting event. She previously claimed a bronze medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games, where her performances earned widespread praise and highlighted her potential to compete against some of the best boxers in the region. That experience has helped strengthen her confidence and prepared her for bigger challenges on the international stage. Following her convincing victory in the quarterfinals, Fatima Zahra has now set her sights on the semifinal, where she will aim to continue her winning run and secure a place in the gold medal match. A victory in the next round would guarantee Pakistan either a silver or gold medal, making it one of the country’s most notable boxing achievements in recent years. Her qualification for the semifinals has been welcomed as an encouraging moment for Pakistan’s sporting community, particularly for women’s boxing, which continues to grow despite facing limited resources and opportunities. Fatima Zahra’s success is expected to inspire aspiring female athletes across the country and demonstrate that Pakistani women can compete successfully at the highest levels of international sport. With a guaranteed bronze medal already secured, all eyes will now be on Fatima Zahra as she prepares for the semifinal showdown. Pakistani fans will be hoping she can maintain her outstanding form, overcome her next opponent, and move one step closer to winning the Commonwealth Games title, adding another memorable chapter to Pakistan’s sporting history.

  MULTAN: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced free entry for cricket fans attending the upcoming National Champions Cup, which is scheduled to take place from 11 to 18 August at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The PCB confirmed the decision through an official promotional flyer shared on its social media platforms. The move is expected to encourage cricket supporters to attend the matches and watch some of the country’s leading domestic players in action. The tournament will feature seven matches all of which will be played under day-night conditions. According to the schedule, the matches are expected to begin at around 3 pm local time. The National Champions Cup is a new 50-over List-A domestic competition and will also officially mark the beginning of Pakistan’s 2026-27 domestic cricket season. Four teams will participate in the tournament: Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Gold. The competition will follow a single-league round-robin format meaning each team will compete against the other participating sides during the league stage. At the conclusion of the league matches, the two teams with the highest points will qualify for the final, where they will compete for the tournament title. The PCB has also finalised the playing XIs for all four teams. In addition, a 13-player reserve pool has been selected for the competition. The reserve players will remain with their respective teams during training sessions and match days. According to the PCB’s arrangements, reserve players can be included in the playing XI if a team faces an injury or concussion-related replacement requirement after announcing its original XI. This arrangement is intended to ensure that teams have adequate cover throughout the competition. The tournament will feature several prominent Pakistan players as captains. Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead Pakistan Gold, while Shadab Khan has been appointed captain of Pakistan Greens. Saim Ayub will captain Pakistan Whites, whereas Sahibzada Farhan will lead Pakistan Blues. The Champions Cup is particularly important as the PCB continues its preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The board has selected a wider pool of 44 players along with reserve players, to provide opportunities for cricketers to demonstrate their abilities and strengthen their claims for future national selection. The domestic competition will therefore serve as an important platform for players seeking to establish themselves at the national level. Performances during the tournament could help the selectors assess the form, fitness and consistency of players ahead of future international assignments. With free admission, a strong line-up of players and the opening of the new domestic season, the National Champions Cup is expected to attract considerable interest from cricket fans in Multan and across Pakistan. The tournament will provide supporters with an opportunity to watch emerging and established players compete in a competitive 50-over format while the PCB continues its broader preparations for the next World Cup cycle.