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  • PCB urges ICC to ensure India’s Participation in Champions Trophy

    PCB urges ICC to ensure India’s Participation in Champions Trophy

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have reportedly made it clear to International Cricket Council (ICC) officials that Pakistan will only travel to India, for the upcoming World Cup 2023, if the neighboring country gives a guarantee in written form that they will send their team to Pakistan in the 2025 Champion’s Trophy.

    PCB officials placed the demand for give and take from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in front of two top ICC officials – Chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice- on the second day of their tour at the board’s headquarters.

    PCB interim management committee chairman Najam Sethi spelled it out that Pakistan boycotting World Cup in India and playing their matches at a neutral venue is “very much a possibility”. This will be seen as a retaliation by the country, if India will not negotiate on Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be played in Pakistan in September 2023.

    The BCCI, so far, has also rejected the revised version of a hybrid model proposed by the PCB, in which initial group stage matches, except the matches of India, will be played in Pakistan and the rest of tournament will shift to a neutral venue. Even if the proposal is accepted, the PCB would mull playing the World Cup at a venue outside India and would provide the latter the same option come the Champions Trophy.

    Asia Cup so far, is not a matter of concern, with the ICC.

    Najam Sethi and co sat down at the table with the two top officials of ICC, but the minutes of the meeting have not been made public yet.

    PCB asked the ICC officials for a formal assurance of India’s participation in the Champions Trophy, the hosting rights of which were awarded to Pakistan two years ago.

    Barclay and Allardice’s visit, although a “scheduled” one, was a high-profile one given the scenario, but there has been silence from both the ICC and the PCB and neither have made any officials announcements so far.

    Discussions over the ICC’s expected revenue sharing model — leaked figures of which have revealed that India would take away 38.5 per cent of the body’s revenue, while Pakistan would get a mere 5.75 per cent — also continued between the PCB and the ICC officials.

    According to sources, Pakistan’s concerns on its deadlock with the BCCI will be discussed during the upcoming ICC Board meetings.

    However, given India’s stranglehold over the world’s cricket economy, it would be difficult for the ICC to entertain PCB’s asks. In such circumstances, the PCB may well consider forfeiting it’s matches in the World Cup.

  • ACC wants Pakistan to withdraw from Asia Cup 2023: Indian media

    ACC wants Pakistan to withdraw from Asia Cup 2023: Indian media

    The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) want to exclude Pakistan from the Asia Cup 2023, The Telegraph India has reported.

    Jay Shah, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary and ACC Chairman, has made it clear to the other countries in the tournament, that his board will not accept Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) suggested ‘hybrid model.’ Shah recently discussed the matter with the heads of member nations and proposed that the tournament should take place at a single venue, specifically Sri Lanka.

    Speculations are rife in Indian media that Sri Lanka secretly shook hands with India on the issue of hosting Asia Cup 2023, hinting to ACC that the weather in the island nation is also perfect for the game.

    PCB had proposed a hybrid model, under which the initial four matches of the group stage in the primary phase of the tournament shall be played in Pakistan.

    Moreover, the next phase, including matches of India and finals, were to be played at a neutral venue. In that scenario, Pakistan will play their group stage match against Nepal on home ground.

    Likewise, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will also be playing their pool matches in Pakistan. The PCB had designated Dubai as a favored neutral location within a hybrid framework.

    The report further added that Pakistan will be informed during the next executive board meeting of the ACC that all other participating nations have agreed to play in Sri Lanka.

    The PCB, as the designated hosts, will have to comply and play in Sri Lanka or withdraw. In that case, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will be the four teams participating, with the inclusion of a fifth team yet to be decided.

    India’s refusal to tour Pakistan and not accepting the hybrid model may push Pakistan to consider pulling out of World Cup. The PCB has reportedly informed ICC officials that their participation in the World Cup depends on government clearance.

  • Yeh kya ho raha hay? Babar, Rizwan back in university

    Yeh kya ho raha hay? Babar, Rizwan back in university

    Pakistan cricket team skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan went back into university life as the batting duo joined the prestigious Harvard Business School’s executive education programme on the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports (BEMS), becoming the first two cricketers to join the prestigious school.

    Babar Azam on Monday night shared a picture on his Twitter account, reminding every student of hostel life, where everyone is tense and worried and studying hard just one night before an exam.

    Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan are the number two and three ranked batsman in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings. Twitter reacted hilariously when the superstars shared a picture of them studying in a room.

    It is a proud moment for Pakistan as the two stars become the first ever cricketers to take part in this business course.
    In the press release issued by the management company of the two players, -Saya Corporation- it is said that the program taught at Harvard Business School in Boston will continue from May 31 to June 3. After which both will hold meetings with various communities in America till June 13.

    Details of Harvard Business Programme

    Programme details have been shared on the school’s website, where they have stated that the programme in which Babar and Rizwan are placed is called the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports (BEMS). It is structured with new modules and techniques on how to develop new business, why some startups becomes successful and why some fail.

    It states that the need for digital technology is most felt in the entertainment industry today and the course discusses the latest approaches in this regard.

    This course will teach you how to make the best decisions, how to take advantage of market fluctuations and how to achieve long-lasting profits.

    Course fees stated on the website is $10,500 but it is not clear yet who is paying the fee of the two star players.

  • Dhoni’s CSK thrashes Gujrat Titans to win IPL 16

    Dhoni’s CSK thrashes Gujrat Titans to win IPL 16

    Chennai Super Kings (CSK) equaled Mumbai Indians’ record of five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles after MS Dhoni’s side triumphed in a last-ball thriller, beating the Gujarat Titans, the defending champions, by five wickets in Monday’s rain-hit final in Ahmedabad.

    Put into bat, Gujarat racked up 214 for four after Sai Sudharsan capitalised on a strong start and smashed 96 off 47 balls that included six sixes.

    Chasing a revised target of 171 from 15 overs after a lengthy rain interruption, Chennai survived intense drama before Ravindra Jadeja sealed their victory, hitting 10 runs off the last two deliveries.

    The final was originally scheduled on Sunday but incessant rain forced the organisers to move the game to its reserve day. After Dhoni won the toss and elected to field, Shubman Gill walked out to bat having smashed three hundreds in his past four innings.

    The opener seemed to have luck on his side as Deepak Chahar dropped Gill, the tournament’s leading scorer, at square-leg when the batter was on three. Gill also survived a run out chance when Jadeja could not properly gather the ball before breaking the stumps.

    The left-arm spinner, however, made amends in the same over. Jadeja lured Gill (39) out of the crease and Dhoni proved age has not dulled his reflexes and the 41-year-old whipped off the bails in a flash.

    Chahar also floored a return catch from Wriddhiman Saha, who smashed 54 before falling to the seamer with Dhoni collecting the top edge. Sudharsan then tore into the attack and hit Matheesha Pathirana for back-to-back sixes in the final over of the innings to inch closer to a hundred but Pathirana denied him the milestone.

    Chennai’s openers faced three balls before rain forced them off the field and held up play for two hours and 20 minutes. Chasing a revised target, Ruturaj Gaikwad (26) and Devon Conway (47) plundered 72 runs from the first six overs before Noor Ahmad removed both in the seventh over.

    Shivam Dube, who made 32no, kept Chennai in the race but Mohit Sharma removed Ambati Rayudu and Dhoni in successive deliveries.

    Chennai needed 13 runs from the last over from Mohit, who conceded three runs from his first four deliveries. Needing 10 off the last two, Jadeja hit Mohit over his head for a six and followed it with a boundary to seal a thrilling victory.

    “I was just trying to swing hard because every ball was important,” Jadeja said. “I knew anything could happen, so I was trying to swing hard and hit it straight.”

  • ICC Chairman and CEO all set to visit Lahore on Tuesday

    ICC Chairman and CEO all set to visit Lahore on Tuesday

    International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Greg Barclay and Chief Executive Geoff Allardice will arrive in Lahore on Tuesday morning on a two-day visit, during which they will meet Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Mr Najam Sethi (also an ICC Director), PCB Chief Operating Officer Barrister Salman Naseer and other board officials.

    While Mr Allardice has regularly visited Pakistan, first as ICC General Manager – Cricket and then as ICC Chief Executive, this will be Mr Barclay’s first visit to Pakistan.

    Mr Barclay will be the first ICC Chairman to tour Pakistan since ICC President Ray Mali’s visit in 2008. This will also be the first time since October 2004 when both the top two ICC officials will together visit the Pakistan cricket headquarters.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an open invitation to media to cover the arrival of ICC top officials.

    While the purpose of this meeting is not disclosed yet, speculations are rife that ICC officials are here to discuss World Cup 2023 dispute with Najam Sethi.

    Mr. Sethi has made it clear that if India accepts their hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023, then they will also propose a same model for World Cup 2023 as Pakistan cricket team also has security concerns in India.

    However, he also said that the country’s government will have the right to decide (BBC).

  • WWE superstar Sami Zayn performs Umrah

    WWE superstar Sami Zayn performs Umrah

    Sami Zayn, a Canadian professional wrestler of Syrian descent, has performed Umrah today.

    The wrestler, whose real name is Rami Sebei, shared pictures from inside the Holy Mosque in Mecca.

    Sami Zayn, along with many WWE wrestlers, is on a tour to Saudia Arabia where the night of the champions event will be organized by local broadcasters.

    Outside of wrestling, Zayn is known for activism and humanitarian work. He has been involved in various social and political causes, including supporting Syrian refugees and advocating for Palestinian human rights.

  • Army ahead after winning most gold medals at National Games 2023

    Army ahead after winning most gold medals at National Games 2023

    Pakistan Army has won most gold in the ongoing 34th National Games in Quetta.

    Army is on the top after winning most gold medals. They have won 101 gold medals, 65 silver medals and 29 bronze medals.

    Wapda is on the second spot as they bagged 54 golds, 50 silvers and 43 bronze medals.
    Navy’s team stands third in a row as they have 89 total medals they have won 26 gold medals, 27 silver medals and 36 bronze medals.

    Moreover other teams like Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Higher Education Commission (HEC) are also in the race for gold.

    Pakistan Army has maintained its dominance in the ongoing 34th National Games as they won the National Games shooting competition.

    Army completely dominated the shooting competition as they bagged 17 gold, 14 silver and five bronze medals.

  • Balochistan wins first gold medal in national games

    Balochistan wins first gold medal in national games

    The 34th edition of National Games 2023 is being hosted by Quetta after a gap of 19 years. The tournament iss scheduled to take place from May 22 to May 30.

    Balochistan have won the first gold medal in the ongoing National Games organized by Pakistan Olympic Association, picking up gold in Martial Arts (karate). Taj Rehan won the medal in below 75 kilogram category.

    WAPDA’s Waheed Ahmed won gold in men’s over 84, Mohammad Owais won gold in under 84, Saifullah of Army won gold in one on one while Army also won gold in team kata.

    In the women’s under-68 category, Army’s Arzoo won the gold medal while WAPDA’s Shahida bagged the gold medal in individual kata, while team kata was won by Army.

    Army’s Sana Kausar won the golden medal in women’s over 61 kg karate.

    So far, Army has won 5 gold medals, WAPDA three and Balochistan one gold medal in karate.

  • Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan in emerging women’s T20 Asia Cup

    Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan in emerging women’s T20 Asia Cup

    Women’s T20 Asia Cup will be hosted by Hong Kong this year in which Bangladesh A, India A, Pakistan A, Sri Lanka A, Thailand A, Hong Kong, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates will participate in the tournament.

    Fatima Sana will represent the green flag and lead her team in the tournament. She has played 31 One-Day Internationals and 24 T20 Internationals. The young player has been in the good books of selectors from a long time and named as captain because of her magnificent performance as skipper of Strikkersfor this squad. She also led Blasters’ successful T20 Championship campaign in Lahore in December.

    Squad: Fatima Sana (c), Anoosha Nasir, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Gulrukh, Lubna Behram, Najiha Alvi (wk), Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Yusra Amir. Reserves: Amber Kainat, Dua Majid, Fatima Khan and Rameen Shamim

    Pakistan are slotted in Group A with Hong Kong, India A and Thailand A. Pakistan will open their campaign on 13 June with the match against Thailand A, after which they play Hong Kong and India A on 15 and 17 June, respectively. Top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals which will be played on 19 June. The final of the tournament will be held on 21 June.

    Chief selector Saleem Jaffar said, “I want to congratulate all players who have been selected for the emerging Asia Cup and I am hopeful that they will perform to their full potential. We have some outstanding talent coming up and it was a tough call to select 14 players.

    I want to tell those cricketers who have not been selected for this tournament to keep their heads high and keep working hard and they will definitely get chances in the upcoming events.

    “We have been observing these players since the camp in Multan and we have tested them in different conditions, with their most recent challenge being the three T20 matches against our top international players.

    “Fatima Sana has displayed some outstanding leadership credentials in domestic tournaments recently, and I am sure she will lead this side with example.”

    Fatima Sana stated that it is an honour for her to captain Pakistan in the upcoming tournament.

    “The responsibility of leading the emerging side will definitely help me develop as a cricketer and I am eagerly looking forward to leading my team in this important tournament. These players are full of energy and are excited for the opportunity ahead of them.

    “We have had good practice over the last few weeks, and the Pakistan Cup Women’s Cricket Tournament provided us ample match practice against tough sides. Ahead of these matches, we had a healthy discussion as a team amongst ourselves that we have to make the most of these matches, and I am glad how every player stepped up and contributed in each game.”

    The emerging team’s pre-tournament camp will begin tomorrow, Thursday, at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance and will run until 8 June. They will depart for Hong Kong on 9 June.

    Player support personnel: Aisha Jalil (manager), Mohsin Kamal (head coach), Muhammad Kamran Hussain (assistant coach), Muhammad Usman Shahid (analyst) and Rabia Siddiq (physiotherapist).

    The national women’s selection committee includes Asmavia Iqbal, Marina Iqbal and Mohtashim Rashid.

  • World Cup 2023: ICC announces qualifier schedule for mega event

    World Cup 2023: ICC announces qualifier schedule for mega event

    Two times world champions, the once-mighty West-Indies and 1996 champions Sri Lanka will have to pass the qualifier round for the upcoming World Cup 2023. The tournament will be taking place in India, who won the coveted trophy the last time they hosted the tournament.

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the schedule for the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The tournament will be held in Zimbabwe from 18 June to 9 July 2023. The 10 teams taking part in the qualifier are split into two groups of five teams.

    Group A:

    West Indies
    Netherlands
    Nepal
    Papua New Guinea
    United States

    Group B:

    Sri Lanka
    Zimbabwe
    Ireland
    Scotland
    United Arab Emirates
    The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, where they will play each other once. The top two teams from the Super Six stage will qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, which will be held in India from 9 October to 20 November 2023.

    The full schedule for the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier is as follows:

    Group A

    18 June: West Indies vs Netherlands (Harare Sports Club)
    19 June: Nepal vs Papua New Guinea (Takashinga Cricket Club)
    19 June: United States vs Ireland (Queen’s Sports Club)
    20 June: West Indies vs Nepal (Harare Sports Club)
    20 June: Netherlands vs Papua New Guinea (Takashinga Cricket Club)
    21 June: United States vs Ireland (Queen’s Sports Club)
    22 June: West Indies vs United States (Harare Sports Club)
    22 June: Nepal vs Ireland (Takashinga Cricket Club)
    23 June: Netherlands vs Papua New Guinea (Queen’s Sports Club)

    Group B

    19 June: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe (Harare Sports Club)
    19 June: Ireland vs United Arab Emirates (Queen’s Sports Club)
    19 June: Scotland vs Netherlands (Takashinga Cricket Club)
    20 June: Sri Lanka vs Ireland (Harare Sports Club)
    20 June: Zimbabwe vs United Arab Emirates (Queen’s Sports Club)
    21 June: Scotland vs Netherlands (Takashinga Cricket Club)
    22 June: Sri Lanka vs Scotland (Harare Sports Club)
    22 June: Ireland vs Netherlands (Queen’s Sports Club)
    23 June: Zimbabwe vs United Arab Emirates (Takashinga Cricket Club)

    Super Six

    26 June: 1st Group A vs 2nd Group B (Harare Sports Club)
    26 June: 3rd Group A vs 4th Group B (Queen’s Sports Club)
    27 June: 1st Group B vs 2nd Group A (Harare Sports Club)
    27 June: 3rd Group B vs 4th Group A (Queen’s Sports Club)
    29 June: 1st Group A vs 3rd Group B (Harare Sports Club)
    29 June: 2nd Group A vs 4th Group B (Queen’s Sports Club)
    Playoff

    3 July: 3rd/4th place play-off (Harare Sports Club)
    5 July: Final (Harare Sports Club)
    The 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier is a crucial tournament for the teams involved, as the top two teams will qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The tournament is also a chance for the teams to gain valuable experience playing against top-quality opposition.