First Batch Of Pakistan's CWG Contingent Departs For UK Today.

LAHORE -- The first batch of Pakistan's Birmingham-bound contingent, comprising 22 athletes and eight officials, will depart for UK today (Sunday), said a Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) spokesman on Saturday.

'The second batch will leave on Monday (July 25), the third on July 26, fourth on July 27 and the last one on July 28,' the spokesperson added. The Commonwealth Games 2022 are taking place from July 28 to August 8 in Birmingham. Pakistan athletes will compete in swimming, athletics, para-athletics, badminton, boxing, women's T20 cricket, gymnastics, men's hockey, judo, squash, table tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.

'The squads of Pakistan hockey, boxing and table tennis will be flying on Sunday to feature in the event,' he said and added: 'The boxing squad includes pugilists : Ilyas Hussain 54-57kg, Suleman Baloch 60-63.5kg, Nazeer Ullah Khan 86-92kg and Arshad Hussain (coach). The two-member table tennis squad includes Fahad Khawaja (athlete) and Irfan Ullah Khan (coach).

'The 21-member national men's hockey squad includes 18 players and three officials. The opening match of the men's hockey event will be held on July 29. Ten teams, divided into two groups, are featuring in the men's hockey event. The men in green are placed in Pool A alongside Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Scotland. They will take on South Africa on July 30 in their inaugural match. The top two sides from each group will qualify for the semifinals.'

Pakistan hockey squad comprises M Umar Bhutta (capt), Akmal Hussain, Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan, Mubashir Ali, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Hammad Anjum, M Abdullah, Rizwan Ali, Moeen Shakeel, Abdul Manan, Junaid...