From the epic clash between Pakistan and India in Melbourne to Arshad Nadeem’s Commonwaealth Games’ feat and Australia and England’s historic visits to PSL thrillers, 2022 has been the year where sports fans in the country witnessed some of the best moments.
Being the cricket-loving nation, Pakistan’s sports lovers came across thrilling performances, even though the national squad could not bring any major triumphs.
Daily Pakistan presents a recap of the historic moments of Pakistani sports this year.
India beat Pakistan in T20 World Cup Thriller
Archrival India pulled off a miracle victory over Babar Azam and led Pakistan in the final over thriller at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Melbourne this year.
Photo courtesy: @T20WorldCup (Twitter)
The Asian giants locked horns in the T20 World Cup in front of a jam-packed crowd at the historic Melbourne Cricket Stadium. Pakistan’s battled with authority but Indian star player Virat Kohli’s exceptional innings helped neighboring team clinching the much-anticipated game.
Despite losing the game, the encounter was certainly one of the greatest moments in sports in this year.
International cricket returns to Pakistan
Despite facing humiliation in home series, the South Asian country witnessed cricket greats in homeland. Australia, New Zealand, and England visited Pakistan, months after abandoning the tours.
Photo courtesy: Pakistan Cricket Board (Twitter)
England stunned Pakistan and Babar XI witnessed 3-0 home whitewash. 2022 started with Kangaroos visit and ended with Kiwis tour with England’s dual visits in between.
Pakistan stun India in Women’s Asia Cup
Women in Green earned a 13-run win over arch-rival India in Women’s Asia Cup in Bangladesh this year. It was the first win for the Team Green in seven years as they last defeated women in blue in a 2016 match.
Photo courtesy: Pakistan Cricket Board (Twitter)
Pakistan’s Nida Dar led home side to a convincing victory with a dominant bowling performance. Indian team could score 124 runs and bowled out in the 20th over while chasing the target.
Pakistan’s Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem bags gold at Commonwealth Games
In August 2022, Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem created history by becoming the second Pakistani to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022. The 25-year-old achieved the feat with a career-best 90.18-meter throw in the javelin final, edging out Anderson Peters of Grenada who remained runner-up.
Photo courtesy: social media
Nadeem, who is now recovering from a surgical procedure, etched his name in history books after throwing javelin at 86.81 in the first attempt and ended up in fine fashion with a historic 90.15-meter throw.
Nooh Dastagir Butt wins gold for Pakistan
Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt on Wednesday bagged the maiden gold medal in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in August this year.
Photo courtesy: social media
Competing in the 109+kg category, Butt lifted 173kg in snatch and 232kg in clean and jerk, setting another record. Overall, Butt lifted 405kg and this too is a record in CWG 2022. It is the second time Pakistan has won the gold medal in CWG’s weightlifting event.
Teen cueist Ahsan Ramzan bags IBSF World Snooker Championship
Despite not major achievements in country’s favorite spots, Pakistan’s cueist Ahsan Ramzan won the final of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation, beating Iran’s Amir Sarkosh.
Photo courtesy: IBSF
The Pakistani prodigy claimed the feat after defeating Sarkosh with 5-6 and becomes the third-youngest player to win the World Snooker Championship. Ramzan holds U-16, U-17, and U-18 titles under his belt, clinched IBSF by winning nine frames and losing only two.
Another dismal year for Pakistan hockey
Like the earlier years, 2022 did not bring any delight to the fans in the national sport. Pakistan participated in Asia Cup, Commonwealth Games and Azlan Shah Cup.
File Photo
The South Asian, once known for leading field hockey, was knocked out in the group stage.
Lahore Qalandars lift maiden PSL trophy
Lahore Qalandars’ long drought ends with PSL 2022 as Shaheen Shah Afridi led team win the final match of the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium back in February this year.
Photo courtesy: PSL (Twitter)
Multan Sultan gave them tough time but Qalanadars finished in style. With last win, all six franchises of country’s top cricket league become champions at least one time.
Shehroze Kashif becomes world’s youngest to climb 10 Eight-thousander peaks
Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif added multiple feathers to his cap with his successful summits this year.
He became the world’s youngest mountaineer to summit 10 peaks above 8,000 meters after scaling Gasherbrum I, the 11th tallest peak. He holds the record for being sixth Pakistani to scale Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain.
Photo courtesy: @thebroadboy/Instagram
Earlier, he conquered Makra Peak, Broad Peak. In the previous years, the young achiever becomes world’s youngest climber to summit the world’s two tallest mountains Everest and K2.