Mahmood Lodhi becomes Pakistan’s first chess GM

Mahmood Lodhi, acclaimed as the greatest exponent of chess in the country, duly achieved the distinction of becoming the first-ever Grand Master as he won the 8th Asian Seniors Chess Championship in Auckland, New Zealand, recently.


“Achieving the GM title was my long team dream and I could not sleep for two nights after this accomplishment for Pakistan’” he told media at the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport, Karachi, on his return from New Zealand.

Due to a combination of factors, the newly crowned Grand Master didn’t get a befitting reception at the airport as not a single representative of the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP), the Sindh Chess Association (SCA) and the Karachi Chess Association (KCA) was there to welcome him.

His buddy and International Master, Shahzad Mirza, greeted him alongwith an official of the Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP).

“A couple of well-wishers and chess lovers provided me loan for a trip to New Zealand,” the 55-year-old Lodhi, hailing from Gujranwala, stated.

“My appeal to the sports authorities of Pakistan to get me my PIA job restored which was terminated over 10 years ago without reasoning,” a record 15-time National Champion, jobless said.

He called for support and better treatment to other sports persons for bringing honor and glory to the country.

“If I get proper support from the government, I can bring the world title to Pakistan,” he commented.

He expressed the hope that securing GM title change his struggling life and he will get support for featuring in GM international events.

“GM in other countries gets great support and respect. But I am waiting for it to be happening in Pakistan,” he said.

Besides dominating for Pakistan chess scene for over three decades, Mahmood Lodhi had represented Pakistan in over a dozen World Chess Olympiads.

Ladybird Grammar School, St Patrick High School register victories in Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket

Ladybird Grammar School and St Patrick High School registered victories over their respective rivals in the latest league matches of the Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA).

Abdul Rafay’s fine all-round performance guided Ladybird Grammar School to an exciting three-wicket victory over CAA Model School in the Group A encounter at the Eastern Star Ground while Mohammad Usman’s exhilarating century powered St Patrick High School to an easy 72-run win over Foundation Public School in the Group G fixture at the Hill Park Ground.

Ladybird Grammar School bowled CAA Model School out for 127 in 35.4 overs despite conceding 35 extras.

Leg-spinner Asadullah (4-23) ran through the top-order with medium-pacer Abdul Rafay (2-17), later adjudged Man of the Match, and left-arm spinner Amanullah (2-19) sustaining the pressure.

None of the CAA Model School batsman could play a big knock against the steady spin-cum-pace with opener Mohammad Maaz (22 off 49 balls) being the top scorer.

CAA Model School, however, opened up the contest while defending its modest score and they seemed on top when Ladybird Grammar School lost the sixth wicket with 70 still needed for victory.

The 44-run eight wicket stand between Abdul Rafay and Anas Ali brought Ladybird Grammar School back into the game after medium-pacer Asna Sarfraz (3-28) and leg-spinner Umar Shah (2-25) had routed the top half of the batting line-up.

It was still anybody’s game when Anas Ali was dismissed for 22 off 27 balls at the total of 102 but Abdul Rafay’s unbeaten 21 off 46 balls allowed Ladybird Grammar School to reach the target of 128 in the 31st over with three wickets standing.

Mohammad Usman, whose dazzling century earned him Man of the Match award, played the key role in St Patrick High School 72-run win over Foundation Public School.

Batting first, St Patrick High School amassed 255 for eight in the allotted 40 with opener Mohammad Usman whacking two sixes and 12 fours in his 71-ball 100. Exxon John’s unbeaten 38 off 47 balls prevented them from getting bowled out after a middle-order collapse.

The spin duo of Osama Khan (2-41) and Mohammad Abbas (2-44) pulled it back for Foundation Public School after the early onslaught from Mohammad Usman.

Chasing a target of 256 in 40, Foundational Public School got off to a solid start as openers Bilal Khurram (32 off 58 balls) and Osama Khan (28 off 41 balls) added 60 for the first wicket.

The introduction of spinners slowed down the rate of scoring and Foundation Public School lost wickets at regular intervals to be restricted to 183 for nine.

St Patrick High School’s off-spinners Zayan Ahmed (2-36) and Exxon John (1-36) were instrumental in choking the run-rate and medium-pacer Syed Shayan Zaheer (2-24) return to clean the tail.

Saif-ul-Haq’s unbeaten century powers Kamran Public School in Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket

Saif-ul-Haq’s brilliant unbeaten century powered Kamran Public School to a massive 132-run victory over Falcon House Grammar School in their Group H encounter of the Omar Trophy Inter-School Cricket Tournament 2016, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), at the TMC Ground on October 3.

Saif-ul-Haq, adjudged Man of the Match, scored an even hundred which took the Kamran Public School total to an imposing 282 for six in the allotted 40 overs. In reply Falcon House Grammar School was bowled out for 150 in 36 overs.

Electing to bat, after winning the toss, Kamran Public School was provided an enterprising start by Hashir Ansari (23 off 12 balls) and Hasan Jafri (21 off 18 balls) as there were flurry of boundaries in the 56-run opening partnership.

Coming in at number four, Saif-ul-Haq sustained the momentum until the end of innings, finishing with an unbeaten 100 off 92 balls with the help of 10 fours. He was ably supported by Abdul Moiz (34 off 29 balls), Aliyan Mahmood (29 off 47 balls) and Ali Hasan (23 off 43 balls).

Off-spinner Affan-ur-Rahman (2-26) and medium-pacer Nafay Yar Khan (2-53) were the successful bowlers for Falcon House Grammar School who didn’t help their cause by sending down 40 wides during the innings.

Chasing a formidable target of 283 in 40 overs, Falcon House Grammar School wilted under the scoreboard pressure. Opener Sikander Ali Khan (37 off 48 balls) and Mohammad Mutawakkil (25 off 53 balls) contributed substantially but they also couldn’t force the pace.

The clinical bowling performance of Kamran Public School conjured a resounding win for their side. Medium-pacers Hammad Ahmed and Anas Ilyas set the tone by picking early wickets with the new ball and the issue was wrapped up by the spin trio of Mohammad Ovais (4-35), Ubaidullah Khan (2-14) and Ali Hasan (2-20).

Ronnie, Tusha to represent THM Sherwanis in Gwadar Rally

The country’s top two racing drivers and the husband-wife pair of Ronnie Patel and Tusha Patel with two other teams will be representing Toyota High Motors (THM) Sherwanis in the Pakistan Motor Rally and the Gwadar Rally.

Karachi’s Ronnie Patel, a veteran acclaimed racing driver of Pakistan, having won many titles in Cholistan, Jhal Magsi, Hub, Nooriabad, Gawadar Rallies is among top ranked drivers for the crown.

The brilliant Ronnie will be driving Highlux Vigo and would be featuring in top Prepared Class category with navigator Ali Aden.

“This is major event and I am looking forward to assert my supremacy in this rally,” he told reporters prior to team’s departure to Gwadar.


“Our aim and objective is promoting motor racing and patronize Pakistan best drivers,” Shujaat
Sherwani, Chief Executive of THM said while announcing the names of their teams.

“Our mission is always been to be part of all the top races of Pakistan,” he remarked. “Our teams have done in the past and we are looking forward to maintain our ascendancy in Gawadar Rally,” he commented.

THM Sherwanis staged a major Max Dirt Rally in Hub in which Pakistan’s top racing took part. Mansoor Alim with Talha Kanwar will take part in Stock A Category in his 4,000 cc Toyota Vigo and Tushna Patel with be taking part with his navigator.

The Gwadar Rally is part of Pakistan Rally which started from Pak-China border in Khunjerab few days ago.''