Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formed a committee to collect the data of approved agents associated with the national cricket team players.
The five-member committee regarding the PCB’s team selection process and conflict of interest, related sources say that this committee has started working today. After completing the investigation, the committee will submit its report and recommendations to Chairman Zaka Ashraf.
The five-member committee formed by the PCB includes Colonel Khalid, Colonel Akhtar of the Anti-Corruption and Vigilance Unit, Director Media Alia Rashid, representatives of the Legal Department and Auditor Finance.
This committee will not be able to ask any questions from the Pakistan cricket team’s players because they are currently playing the World Cup in India, and also not from Umar Kalsom who is now PCB’s media head manager and was recently replaced by Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi during the world cup.
According to the sources, “Player’s agent’s records are available but the committee didn’t find which agent associated with which player”.
It should be noted that a few days ago, the case of Inzamam-ul-Haq being a shareholder with a company named Yazoo International Ltd. came to light, however, Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq resigned from the post of Chief Selector before the formation of the committee.
Sports commentator Yahya Hussaini has claimed that before going to India to play in the World Cup, players had told Zaka Ashraf that they will neither participate in the World Cup nor any other ICC event.
In the Geo News program ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Saath’, the host asked Hussaini, “After the poor performance of the Pakistan team in the World Cup, the players and the board were being criticized. After Babar Azam’s chat leak, criticism turned towards Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) and Chairman Zaka Ashraf, what is the matter that instead of waiting until the end of the World Cup or the return of the team these things are coming out?”
ذکاء اشرف کے بیانات اور انضمام الحق کا استعفیٰ۔ دیکھیئے ایک کے بعد ایک تنازعہ پر سکندر بخت،عبدالرزاق اور یحیٰ حسینی کا تجزیہ pic.twitter.com/ylVu20OsKT
In response, Yahya Hussaini said, “This is a very old story. When Zaka Ashraf became the head of the PCB committee, he was not allowed to work, and a petition was filed against him in the court. In short, this is what I would like to say, that before going to the World Cup, the players had told Zaka Ashraf that they will neither participate in the World Cup nor in any ICC event nor will they use the ICC logo”.
Senior journalist Yahya Hussaini has revealed that before the World Cup, former chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq took captain Babar Azam to the house of Chairman PCB Zaka Ashraf to resolve conflicts between the players and the Board.
“528 million rupees were retained under the PCB central contract and a three-year contract, which was never done before, and 220.3 million rupees in this contract were also added from ICC (International Cricket Council)”.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam said Tuesday that he still clings onto hope that his team can squeeze into the World Cup semi-finals despite the odds stacked against them.
“Yes. We are trying to win our next two matches and let’s see where we stand,” said Azam after a seven-wicket romp over Bangladesh gave them a third win in seven matches.
“We will take a lot of confidence into those matches.”
Pakistan have six points and sit in fifth place in the 10-nation table.
Australia, in fourth place, have eight points and a game in hand while third-placed New Zealand are third, also on eight points, having also played one game fewer.
Pakistan face the Kiwis on Saturday in Bengaluru before finishing their group campaign against defending champions England in Kolkata on November 11.
As well as two wins, the 1992 champions will need other results go their way if they are to stay in the tournament.
On Tuesday, Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed three wickets while openers Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique made 81 and 68 respectively as Pakistan chased down a 205-run target for the loss of three wickets with 105 balls to spare.
“We know when Fakhar plays the way he can for 20-30 overs it is a different ball game. So we let him play his natural game and it is good to see,” said Azam of Zaman, the only Pakistan batsman to have scored a double century in one-day international cricket.
Azam added: “We started well. Shaheen took early wickets. The main thing is we stuck to our length in the middle overs and we took wickets.”
Fakhar, a 33-year-old left-hander, was playing only his second match of the tournament after being sidelined with a knee injury.
“We were anxiously waiting for this win,” said Zaman.
“Every win in the World Cup boosts the confidence and our aim is to win the remaining two matches. Our target is semi-final.”
Zaman admitted the defeat to India earlier in the tournament had been a bodyblow but the team had gained new confidence by pushing South Africa all the way.
Pakistan fought hard against the Proteas only to lose by a narrow one-wicket margin in Chennai on Friday.
“That loss to India made the difference, every match against India does but we fought well in the South Africa match and that fight gave us much-needed rhythm,” said Zaman.
Zaman also said the impact of his injury was not as severe as first feared.
“I was batting well in the nets and had the team needed me before I would have played but my aim is to always score runs that help the team win.”
Bounce Back
Bangladesh became the first team to be eliminated after six losses in seven games.
“At this moment we have to perform together in all three departments. It’s not any individual that can win us games,” said captain Shakib Al Hasan.
His team still have two games to play in the round-robin stage against Sri Lanka in New Delhi on November 6 and against Australia in Pune five days later.
“We need collective performances. Two more matches hopefully we can bounce back,” said Shakib, playing in his fourth World Cup.
“The fans supported us and are behind us whether we are doing well or not. We have to give something back to them so they can smile.”
Pakistan cricket team will play its seventh match today against Bangladesh in the ICC World Cup. After a string of losses, there is a possibility of three changes in Pakistan’s playing XI.
According to sources, Fakhar Zaman will return in the match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Zaman was suffering from a knee injury, but is likely to be included in the team instead of Imamul Haq. Salman Ali Agha will be fielded instead of all-rounder Muhammad Nawaz, who has scored only 81 runs in 5 matches and has taken only two wickets. If Salman Ali Agha is fielded, it will be his first World Cup match.
Vice-captain Shadab Khan, who suffered a concussion in the previous match, may be rested for the match against Bangladesh. The team management is considering giving him full rest this week, while Usama Mir can be a part of the final XI in his place. Usama Mir replaced Shadab in the match against South Africa.
Lionel Messi, the world-famous football striker from Argentina, has won the Ballon d’Or award for the eighth time. Messi was named the best player of the year 2023 in a ceremony held in Paris.
In addition, Messi’s Argentina team-mate Emiliano Martinez won the Yashan Trophy for best goalkeeper, while England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was awarded the Copa Award.
Lionel Messi had a significant role in Argentina winning the World Cup 2022 for the third time after 36 years. Messi scored seven goals and assisted in three goals in the World Cup, while he scored 21 goals in 41 matches last season.
In addition, Messi also played a key role in American football club Inter Miami winning the League Cup for the first time this year, he also scored 11 goals in 14 matches in the Major League.
Messi has won the ‘Ballon d’Or award a record eight times, in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award five times, including 2017. Last year, the Ballon d’Or award went to French footballer Karim Benzema.
It should be noted that the Ballon d’Or award is given by France Football to the best footballer of the year, while 100 journalists from around the world vote for the winner.
Afghanistan defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the 30th match of ICC World Cup 2023.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and invited Sri Lankan captain Kaushal Mendis to bat first.
Sri Lanka’s opening batsmen Patham Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne could not give their team a good start against the Afghanistan bowlers. In the fifth over, Dimuth Karunaratne returned to the pavilion after scoring 15 runs off Fazal Haq Farooqi, after which Patham Nissanka was dismissed for 46 runs off 60 balls.
Sri Lanka’s third wicket then went to Mujeebur Rahman as he guided skipper Kaushal Mendis back for 39 runs, after which Mujeeb himself caught Sudira Samarawakarma LBW for just four runs. Cherith Asalinka played an innings of 22 runs and Angelo Mathews played an innings of 23 runs.
The Sri Lankan team was bowled out for 241 runs in 49.3 overs.
On behalf of Afghanistan, Mujeebur Rehman dismissed two players while Fazal Haq Farooqui took four wickets for 34 runs.
Chasing the target of 242 Afghanistan lost its first wicket on the fourth ball of the first overs as Rehmanullah Gurbaz returned to the pavilion for a duck. After this, Ibrahim Zardan and Rahmat Shah scored a partnership of 73 runs.
Zardan was caught on 39 runs. Afghanistan lost its third wicket on 132 when Rahmat Shah was caught out on 62 runs but Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Umarzai led the team to victory by scoring 58 and 73 runs respectively.
Dilshan Madushanka took two wickets for Sri Lanka.
Inzamam-ul-Haq, the chief selector of the national cricket team, has resigned from his post on Monday after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was relentlessly criticised following a string of defeats at the World Cup.
In his statement, Inzamam-ul-Haq said, “People talk without research. If questions are raised on me, I thought it better to resign and to be on the side.”
Stating that PCB is available for inquiry, the former batting great said that he has asked PCB to investigate accusations against him.
“I have no connection with the player’s agent company, I am saddened by such allegations.” He further said, “After everything is cleared, I will sit with the PCB. I felt that if there is an inquiry against me, I should resign from the post, we should wait for the results of the inquiry.”
The former Chief Selector asked for a transparent investigation and an independent inquiry from PCB. “I am telling you very clearly that I have never had anything to do with the company in my life, I have neither the first signature nor the later signature, whoever is saying this is wrong.”
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf has said that former cricketer Rashid Latif’s statement was “wrong, regrettable” and “part of an agenda.”
Speaking on a TV show, former wicketkeeper Rashid Latif claimed that Babar Azam has been sending messages to the Chairman PCB Management Committee, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Director of International Cricket for two consecutive days, but all three of them are avoiding him.
However, now in an interview on a private channel, PCB Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf rejected Rashid Latif’s claims , stating, “The statement was wrong, which is regrettable, I think it is also part of an agenda.”
Zaka Ashraf said that the chairman of the previous board had given NOC to the players to play leagues, and when the time came for the World Cup, the fitness problems of the players came to the fore.
Talking about the payment of players’ salaries, he said that if the players sign on, the money will reach their account. “Neither the players are going anywhere, nor the board is going anywhere.”
Zaka Ashraf said that players are being paid huge salaries all over the world. “I thought that they should give more money to the players to play in the national team.”
Stating that Najam Sethi had filed a case against him in the previous period, Ashraf pointed out that, “Even then, no irregularity of even one rupee was proved against me.”
“Our cricket is not modern-day cricket. Apart from that, I cannot say anything about friendship in the team, but the fitness and performance of many players are in front of you.”
In the 29th match of the ICC World Cup, India defeated defending champion England by 100 runs.
Rohit Sharma and Shibman Gill opened the innings for India, but the latter got bowled for nine runs on a total of 26, while Virat Kohli was also caught out without scoring any runs on nine balls.
India’s third dismissal was Shreyas Iyer who was caught by Mark Wood off Chris Woakes for four runs while the Blue Shirts suffered their fourth loss at 131 when KL Rahul was dismissed for 39. Indian captain Rohit Sharma returned to the pavilion after scoring 87 runs, while Surya Kumar Yadav scored 49 runs and Jasprit Bumrah scored 16 runs. Jadeja scored eight runs, Mohammad Shami scored one run, Kuldeep Yadav scored nine runs and remained not out.
India scored 229 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 50 overs.
On behalf of England, David Wiley took three wickets, Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid took two wickets respectively.
Chasing the target of 230 runs, the English batting line-up crumbled like leaves, and the entire team was bowled out for 129 runs in 34.5 overs.
Liam Livingston scored 27 runs, David Mullan scored 16 runs and Moeen Ali scored 15 runs.
Jonny Bairstow scored 14, Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes scored 10 and 10 respectively, while Joe Root and Ben Stokes were dismissed for zero.
Mohammad Shami dismissed four players by giving 22 runs in 7 overs, Jasprit Bumrah got three wickets by giving 32 runs and Kuldeep Yadav got two wickets by giving 24 runs in eight overs.
Rashid Latif, the former wicketkeeper of the Pakistan team, has claimed that seniors in Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have begun to ignore the national team captain Babar Azam.
Yesterday, South Africa defeated Pakistan by one wicket after a sensational match, marking Pakistan’s fourth consecutive defeat in the World Cup.
The national players and Babar Azam are facing severe criticism.
Speaking on a TV show, the former wicketkeeper claimed that Babar Azam has been sending messages to the Chairman PCB Management Committee, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Director of International Cricket for two consecutive days, but the three big men of the Cricket Board have refused to answer.
سابق کرکٹر راشد لطیف صاحب نے حیرت انگیز انکشاف کیا ہے کہ جناب پروفیشنل چئیرمین پی سی بی مینجمنٹ کمیٹی ذکاء اشرف صاحب قومی ٹیم کے کپتان بابر اعظم کے میسجز اور کالز کا جواب نہیں دے رہے.. کپتان نے عثمان واہلہ سلمان نصیر سے بھی رابطہ کیا انہوں نے بھی کوئی جواب نہیں دیا… اور اب ذکاء… pic.twitter.com/QBgDnO14HS
Rashid Latif claimed that Zaka Ashraf, Salman Naseer, and Usman Wahla were constantly ignoring the messages sent by Babar Azam.
According to the former Test cricketer, the PCB has told the players that the central contract they have signed will not be accepted and the players will have to sign a new central contract.
Rashid Latif says that many stories will come out after the World Cup, but the Pakistan Cricket Board has not yet confirmed or denied Rashid Latif’s statement.
It should be noted that the Pakistan Cricket Board had announced the central contract for the players a few days before the start of the World Cup, in which Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi included in the A category and their salary was fixed 61 lakhs per month while B The salary of the players included in the category was fixed at 43 lakhs per month.
