Tag: BCCI Chairman

  • Pakistani Journalists furious over ‘Whatsapp’ solution by ICC for World Cup coverage

    Pakistani Journalists furious over ‘Whatsapp’ solution by ICC for World Cup coverage

    India has not granted a visa to any Pakistani journalist to cover the cricket World Cup 2023 yet and the International Cricket Council (ICC) has come up with a solution stating that questions can be asked via Whatsapp, provoking more anger.

    As a temporary solution while Pakistani journalists await clearance for World Cup coverage in India, the ICC has introduced a method for them to submit their questions to an ICC media manager via WhatsApp. These questions will then be presented to the Pakistani representative attending the media conferences.

    The ICC released a statement saying, “In addition to fielding questions from the present media, the Pakistani representative at the media conference will also respond to a selection of queries submitted by members of the Pakistani media who are still awaiting travel approval for the event.”

    Expressing their disappointment, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Recent reports indicate that no Pakistani journalist was present at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad when Pakistan kicked off their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands last week.

    The PCB conveyed their disappointment in a letter to the ICC, stating, “The PCB is dismayed by the uncertainty faced by Pakistani journalists and fans in obtaining Indian visas to cover Pakistan’s opening game in the ICC World Cup. Pakistani journalists and fans are expressing deep concern, putting us under immense pressure.”

    In response, an ICC spokesperson commented, “We recognize the vital role played by journalists and passionate fans in elevating the spirit and ambiance of sporting events.”

    “This is an obligation of our host and they are working hard on it with our full support. Every effort is being made to get this sorted,” an ICC spokesperson told The Current.

    Pakistan Cricket Board Management Committee Chairman Mr. Zaka Ashraf has called upon Pakistan Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi and raised serious concerns and alarm over the delay in fans and journalists visas for India to cover the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. 

    The chairman also requested the Foreign Secretary to take up the issue with India’s Home Ministry through the Pakistan High Commission Office in New Delhi. The PCB has also taken serious notice of security threats being reported in Indian media and requested the government to evaluate player’s security in India. He emphasised that the well-being and safety of the Pakistan squad were of paramount importance.

    PCB is extremely disappointed to see that journalists from Pakistan and fans are still facing uncertainty about obtaining an Indian visa to cover Pakistan games in ICC World Cup 2023. In the meantime, PCB has again reminded ICC and BCCI of their respective obligations and terms and conditions stipulated in the Host agreement to guarantee visas for fans and journalists of participating teams.

    Pakistani Journalists are upset over this entire situation.

    Abdul Ghaffar, a sporta Journalist wrote took to X (formerly Twitter),

    “ICC instead of asking Pakistan Journo to send questions via Whatsapp must make sure well in advance that Pakistan Media gets visa on time and travelled,” he wrote.

    Another sports journalist, Ubaid Awan, withdrew his ICC media accreditation for World Cup 2023 in protest.

  • PCB asks BCCI to shift Pak-India matches to Pakistan

    PCB asks BCCI to shift Pak-India matches to Pakistan

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed to Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) that as more rain is expected in Sri Lanka in the coming week, the remaining matches between Pakistan and India should be shifted to Pakistan.

    In a telephonic conversation between Chairman PCB Zaka Ashraf and BCCI’s Secretory Jay Shah, Zaka said that as more rain is expected in Sri Lanka, BCCI should consider moving the remaining matches between the two arch-rivals to Pakistan or Dubai. “The Asia Cup is a big event and we shouldn’t let bad weather ruin it”, Zaka said.

    Read More: Urvashi Rautela is still crushing on Naseem Shah and here’s proof

    In reply, BCCI’s Jay Shah said that his board will consider the proposal.

    A highly anticipated match between Pakistan and India was ruined by rain on Saturday, with two interruptions before the game was eventually called off.

  • VIP protocol; BCCI officials to get bulletproof cars for Pakistan visit

    VIP protocol; BCCI officials to get bulletproof cars for Pakistan visit

    Punjab Home Ministry has approved the use of bulletproof vehicles by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Chairman Roger Binny and Deputy Chairman Rajeev Shukla when they visit Lahore during the 2023 Asian Cup.

    The BCCI Chairman and BCCI Vice-Chairman are expected to arrive in Lahore on September 4 and attend a dinner at Governor’s house on the invitation of Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Zaka Ashraf.

    The Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) has asked the Punjab Department of Home Affairs to take back the two double-cab vehicles it had previously provided and send them bulletproof Mercedes and Land Cruisers.

    Read More: BCCI president Roger Binny, vice president Rajeev Shukla to visit Pakistan

    Ministry of Home Affairs has approved PCB’s application and issued instructions to S&GAD.
    Roger Binny has already confirmed his and Rajeev Shukla’s visit to Pakistan.

  • Cricket legend Sourav Ganguly hospitalised after Covid-19

    Cricket legend Sourav Ganguly hospitalised after Covid-19

    President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Sourav Ganguly has tested positive for Covid-19. The former cricketer has been admitted to Kolkata’s Woodlands Hospital. He had a mild fever on Sunday, and was tested for the virus soon after. Following the emergence of a positive report, on Monday evening, he checked into the hospital at night.

    As per ESPN cricinfo, his condition is stable. The 49-year-old veteran cricketer was advised by medical experts to avoid isolating at home and, instead, get admitted to the hospital, possibly because of some pre-existing health conditions. According to a PTI report, he has been administered both doses of the vaccine against Covid-19.

    In January this year, the former India captain had to be hospitalised twice in quick succession after complaining of “chest discomfort”. He was initially admitted to Woodlands Hospital for what was described as a heart attack by doctors. He underwent angioplasty at the time, and was believed to have recovered.

    But, later that month, he had to undergo another angioplasty, this time at the Kolkata’s Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, and doctors confirmed afterwards that two stents had been placed.

  • Sourav Ganguly says he likes Virat Kohli’s attitude but ‘he fights a lot’

    Sourav Ganguly says he likes Virat Kohli’s attitude but ‘he fights a lot’

    Former Indian cricketer and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has said that he is a huge admirer of Virat Kohli’s attitude, however, he expressed unhappiness with the crickter’s tendency to pick up fights with everyone.

    Read More – Rohit Sharma replaces Virat Kohli as India’s ODI captain, to take over from South Africa series

    Ganguly made the comments in an event in Gurgaon while answering which player has the best attitude according to him. “I like Virat Kohli’s attitude but he fights a lot,” said the BCCI president.

    Both the Indian cricketing giants left the fans confused after Kohli contradicted Ganguly’s statements regarding captaincy shuffle.

    Kohli, while addressing a press conference ahead of India’s tour to South Africa, claimed that he wasn’t asked to continue to lead the side in the shorter format. However, days before the presser, the BCCI president said in an interview that he personally approached Kohli to remain at the helm in T20Is.

    In the same presser, India’s Test captain also put an end to the speculations of a rift between him and senior batter Rohit Sharma, stating he has been doing the same for the past two years and urged people to look beyond it.

    Ganguly was also asked about how to manage stress, to which the former India captain had a very sarcastic answer. “There is no stress in life. Only wife and girlfriend give stress,” he said.

    Meanwhile, after Kohli’s explosive presser, the BCCI president refused to comment much about it and asserted that the BCCI will deal with it.

    Kohli and his unit are currently in South Africa where they will play a three-match Test series starting from December 26.