Tag: Cricket

  • ‘Same route, same security but no threat today?’: Mohammad Hafeez questions the Black Caps departure

    ‘Same route, same security but no threat today?’: Mohammad Hafeez questions the Black Caps departure

    Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Hafeez took to Twitter to question the departure of the Black Caps, and tweeted, “Thanks to the security of Pakistan forces to make arrangements to @BLACKCAPS to reach airport Safe & Sound. Wonder same route & same security but no threat today???”

    A day after New Zealand abandoned their Pakistan tour, the newly appointed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja on Saturday called on players to channel their frustration into their performance.

    In a video message, shared by the PCB, Ramiz Raja said: “Release your frustration and anger by channeling it towards your performance.”

    “Everyone will want to play against you. So I want us to learn from this, move forward, and keep strong. There is no need to be disappointed,” said Ramiz.

    “We will do whatever we can and you will soon get to hear good news and results,” said the chairman.

    “It is a shared pain and whatever happened is not right for Pakistani cricket,” he said, calling the situation an “unfortunate scenario”.

    “We have experienced such situations in the past but we have always moved forward. We have a lot of resilience and strength, and that is because of the fans and the cricket team,” he said.

    Meanwhile, a PCB official speaking with Dawn said, “This is a blow to the efforts the PCB, the government, and the security agencies who had been making to fully restore international cricket in Pakistan.”

    “The ICC has done nothing in these cases,” the official added. “Furthermore since the Indian lobby is strong at the ICC, so it will not be easy for the PCB to win any case of compensation against New Zealand.”

    “There isn’t much hope that England will tour now,” said the official.

    On Friday, the New Zealand cricket team had backed out of its tour of Pakistan over security concerns minutes before the first match was scheduled to start at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

  • ‘NZ will hear us at ICC’: Ramiz Raja enraged after series abandonment

    ‘NZ will hear us at ICC’: Ramiz Raja enraged after series abandonment

    The newly appointed Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja has lashed out at New Zealand cricket board after they abandoned the series at the last minute. While transnational players, including Grant Eliot and Daren Sammy, also expressed their disappointment on the news.

    Taking to Twitter, PCB Chairman wrote: “Crazy day it has been! Feel so sorry for the fans and our players. Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in??NZ will hear us at ICC.”

    Meanwhile, transnational cricketer including Daren Sammy, Michael Vaughan, Angelo Perera, Grant Elliot and Sherfane Rutherford also shared their views on the cancellation of the series.

    https://twitter.com/SRutherford_50/status/1438807718727462917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1438807718727462917%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthecurrent.pk%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D131302action%3Dedit
    https://twitter.com/angiperera/status/1438827329057292288?s=20

    The black Caps were set to play three ODIs and five T20Is in Pindi and Lahore respectively.

    New Zealand’s cricket board said arrangements were being made for the team’s departure back home, citing an escalation in threat levels and the advice of security advisors.

  • Virat Kohli to step down as T20 captain after T20 World Cup

    Virat Kohli to step down as T20 captain after T20 World Cup

    Indian captain Virat Kohli has announced he will step down as India’s T20 captain after the T20 World Cup. However, he will continue as Test and ODI captain.

    Kohli announced his decision on Twitter, saying he made it with his workload in mind as a three-format player, and that he has already spoken about it with BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah, and the selectors. He said he arrived at his decision after “a lot of contemplation and discussions with my close people”, including India head coach Ravi Shastri and the white-ball vice-captain Rohit Sharma, who has already led India in 19 T20Is when Kohli had been rested.

    Though a formal announcement from the BCCI is awaited, Rohit is likely to take over from Kohli.

    “Understanding workload is a very important thing and considering my immense workload over the last 8-9 years playing all 3 formats and captaining regularly for last 5-6 years, I feel I need to give myself space to be fully ready to lead the Indian team in Test and ODI Cricket,” Kohli said. “I have given everything to the Team during my time as T20 Captain and I will continue to do so for the T20 Team as a batsman moving forward.”

    The development comes exactly eight days after Kohli sat with the selectors to finalise the India squad for the T20 World Cup, which will be played in the UAE in October-November.

    “Of course, arriving at this decision took a lot of time,” Kohli said. “After a lot of contemplation and discussions with my close people, Ravi bhai and also Rohit, who have been an essential part of the leadership group, I’ve decided to step down as the T20 Captain after this T20 World Cup in Dubai in October.”

  • PCB announces team for first ODI against Kiwis

    PCB announces team for first ODI against Kiwis

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced its team for the first One-Day International (ODI) against New Zealand.

    According to the PCB’s press release, the first ODI against the Kiwis will be played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.

    The team includes Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakil, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir and Zahid Mahmood. While the second and third ODIs will be played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on September 19 and 21.

    The Gaddafi Stadium will host the T20Is from September 25 to October 3 in Lahore.

  • VIDEO: Dog interrupts cricket match

    VIDEO: Dog interrupts cricket match

    A dog interrupted the semi-final of the Women’s All-Ireland T20 between Bready Cricket Club and Civil Service North or Ireland Cricket Club in Magheramason.

    The video shows the dog running on the field with its black leash trailing behind it. When the wicket-keeper tried to hit the stumps and missed, the dog hurriedly snapped up the ball and began running away, as players tried to chase it down.

    Read More: Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards: Laughing snake, other finalists will make your day

    The dog finally stopped running after a player calmed it down and retrieved the ball so the match could resume.

  • PCB launches online merchandise programme

    PCB launches online merchandise programme

    To celebrate Pakistan’s rich cricket history and culture, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the launch of its Official Merchandise Store, which will go live on Tuesday, September 14. The passionate Pakistan cricket fans will be able to purchase authentic apparel and accessories at www.shop.pcb.com.pk.

    According to a press release issued by the PCB, the online store will be a one-stop shop for cricket fans in and outside Pakistan where they will be able to purchase customised merchandise, Pakistan national side’s training and travel gear, fan wear, collector’s edition merchandise and hardware accessories with items being regularly added.

    With the launch of the programme, PCB will also be introducing the first in its Legacy Series line of merchandise items. The identity of the legacy item will be revealed on September 14, and is sure to be a pleasant surprise to Pakistani cricket fans the world over.

    With ease of access to fans forming the core of the merchandise programme’s philosophy, PCB will provide shipment across the world helping the fans to #WearYourPassion. Fans in Pakistan will get their purchased items delivered at their doorsteps free of cost.

    Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer said: “The Pakistan Cricket Board is proud to launch its Official Merchandise Store, which will provide another avenue to the fans to connect with Pakistan Cricket. It is a dream of every fan to be able to get hold of their team’s authentic apparel and this online store will help fulfil it.”

    “As Pakistan enjoys a rich cricketing history and its legacy is deeply imprinted on the game, we will be launching the online store with the PCB Legacy Series. Over time, PCB will continue to add more offerings for the fans to ensure their visits to our online store become a habit,” he added

    He went on to say: “With this launch, we are hopeful that the PCB will be able to introduce a sub-culture of authentic merchandise buying in the country through which the passionate Pakistan fans will be able to show support for their team.”

  • Sarfaraz Ahmed spotted riding bike, locals offer cricket match

    Sarfaraz Ahmed spotted riding bike, locals offer cricket match

    Former captain of Pakistan cricket team Sarfaraz Ahmed was recently spotted riding a bike on the roads of Karachi while some fans offered him a cricket match in the video.

    A video went viral on social media in which Sarfaraz can be seen on a bike with probably his daughter when two boys on a bike went near to him and offered a cricket series at a local ground.

    “Saifi Bhai, series khelein kia? New Zealand ka squad toh gaya, Star Ground aajayein, series khelte hain,” the boys were quoted saying to Sarfaraz in the video. “Haan ab yehi reh gaya hai,” the cricketer replied.

    [Translation: “Saifi Bhai, should we play a series? You’re not in the New Zealand squad, so come to Star Ground and we will have a series there.”

    Sarfaraz replied: “Sure, now this is what is left for me to do.”]

    It must be noted here that Sarfaraz was dropped from ODI and T20I squad against New Zealand. The announced T20I squad for the home series against New Zealand is the same that will play against England and in T20 World Cup.

  • Misbah, Waqar resign from coaching positions ahead of T20 World Cup

    Misbah, Waqar resign from coaching positions ahead of T20 World Cup

    Pakistan men’s national cricket team head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis have stepped down from their respective roles, announced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday.

    According to a press release issued by the PCB, the two coaches communicated their decisions to the PCB late Monday morning.

    With the New Zealand side due to arrive on September 11 for three ODI and five T20I series and the Pakistan side to assemble in Islamabad on September 8, the PCB has appointed Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq as interim coaches for the series, with the team management for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 to be appointed in due course.

    As per PCB’s press release, former captain Misbah said: “The quarantine in Jamaica post the West Indies series provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the past 24 months as well as the schedule for international cricket ahead. Considering that I would have had to continue to spend considerable time away from my family and that too in a bio-secure environment, I have decided to step down from the role.”

    “I understand that the timing may not be ideal but I don’t think I am in the right frame of mind for the upcoming challenges and it makes sense for someone fresh to step-in and take the side forward,” said Misbah.

    “The past 24 months have been thoroughly enjoyable and I want to thank my team and the management for their support. I wish the Pakistan cricket team best of luck in the upcoming events and will continue to support them every time they will take the field to represent Pakistan.”

    While Waqar said: “After Misbah shared with me his decision and future plans, it was a straightforward one for me to resign as we had walked into the roles together, had worked collectively as a pair and now also step down together.”

    “Working with the Pakistan bowlers, including the youngsters, has been most satisfying as they have now started to show progress. Bio-secure environments in the past 16 months have had their impact, something we had never experienced during our playing days,” he added.

    “The next eight months will be busy and exciting for the Pakistan team and, like in the past, I will continue to back and cheer them. I want to thank each and every member of the Pakistan cricket team set-up as we stayed united in good and bad days, and hope there will be more brighter days ahead,” said Waqar.

    PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “The PCB understands and respects Misbah’s decision. Cricket in this unprecedented bio-secure world has not been easy for anyone and Misbah has clearly taken into account the intense six months of non-stop cricket ahead. In the past 24 months, Misbah has given his very best to the team and we wish him well in his future endeavours”.

    “It has been an honourable decision by Waqar and we thank him sincerely for his immense work and commitment over the past two years and wish him the very best in the future,” said Khan.

    “Both Misbah and Waqar have given so much to Pakistan cricket over a long period of time and for that they deserve a huge amount of respect.”

    He further said: “Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq have been appointed as interim coaches for the New Zealand series. Saqlain is the Head of International Player Development at the National High Performance Centre, while Abdul Razzaq’s domestic side won three titles in the 2020-21 season.”

    “Both Saqlain and Razzaq are ready to step-up and are very much looking forward to making important contributions in their coaching roles against New Zealand,” he added.

    Misbah and Waqar were appointed in September 2019 and still had a year each left in their contracts.

  • Is Ramiz Raja a good fit for PCB?

    Is Ramiz Raja a good fit for PCB?

    “My aim is to reset Pakistan cricket’s GPS,” Ramiz Raja was quoted as saying after being nominated to succeed Ehsan Mani as Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). As it sits, long-time commentator and former Pakistan captain Ramiz is primed to edge past Asad Ali Khan in the Board of Governors (BoG) meeting on September 13 and seems to be the front-runner to nab the slot of the chairman. To ascertain whether or not he is a good fit for this role, one needs to examine his administerial credentials and how he fared in his previous reign when he served PCB in a similar capacity.

    A grand total of just more than a year (July 2003 to August 2004) is all the administerial experience that Ramiz has under his belt when he replaced Chishty Mujahid as PCB’s chief executive. This ephemeral reign was nothing short of a colossal debacle in more ways than one and peppered with controversies, ultimately forcing Ramiz to tender resignation from the role, which begs the question: why has he accepted the role in the first place?

    To begin with, Ramiz had an acrimonious relationship with several players throughout his tenure. While on the one hand, he was cutting his teeth as the chief executive, on the other hand, he was criticising the national team in his commentary at the same time, which did not go down well with the players who lambasted him for dual standards.

    Things kept going sideways for Ramiz and India’s tour of Pakistan in 2004 proved to be the final nail in the coffin of his administerial career. A multitude of controversies popped up in this woeful series where Pakistan lost the 3-match Test series 2-1 and 5-match ODI series 3-2; players were alleged to be involved in match-fixing against India in the fourth ODI, Shoaib Akhtar’s injury saga was handled irresponsibly and the media ripped the team to shreds and lamented the disastrous showing.

    In his column ‘Pakistan cricket’s blackest day’, Omar Kureishi wrote that Pakistan’s batsmen competed against one another on who was more irresponsible.

    “It was a sad day as the last rites of Pakistan cricket was performed at Pindi Cricket Stadium. Indian spinner Anil Kumble and paceman Laxmipathy Balaji nailed the coffin in front of handful mourners,” Dawn’s match report read.

    Agha Akbar, in his column ‘Pakistan was overawed and outplayed’ for The Nation, wrote: “It might hurt the pride of the Pakistanis, but the fact is that this Indian team has shown them the way they once used to play cricket.”

    “Pakistan just threw in the towel. It is for the PCB to find out what went wrong, for something went horribly wrong,” Akbar added.

    As if that was not enough to demonstrate his inability to deliver the goods, Ramiz’s reputation suffered a blow when several board officials and players also filed a case against him after he was convicted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for marketing match tickets in black.

    Nevertheless, one can argue that Ramiz has been commentating on Pakistan cricket for about two decades and probably knows the ins and outs of Pakistan cricket but it is worth bearing in mind that commentating on a game and administering it requires an entirely different set of skills.

    The chairman role requires one to be well-versed with business administration. Although Ramiz received his master’s degree in business administration, his credentials in that field are not impressive enough to warrant him a chairman role if you compare them to the qualifications of chairpersons of other teams. Also, if his previous stint is anything to go by, it is safe to say that Ramiz Raja is not a good fit for the role of Chairman PCB.

  • Dale Steyn announces retirement from cricket

    Dale Steyn announces retirement from cricket

    South African fast bowler Dale Steyn announced his retirement from all formats of cricket on Tuesday.

    He told ESPNcricinfo that his decision was prompted partly by the Covid-19 pandemic, and partly because, at 38, he is looking forward to “life starting again” after 18 years of professional cricket.

    “I guess Covid-19 kind of made me see things differently, it wasn’t fun anymore. And if it’s not fun then it’s not worth doing,” Steyn said.

    “Bittersweet but grateful,” he wrote in his social media post, as he thanked his family and teammates as well as journalists, fans.

    “It’s been 20 years of training, matches, travel, wins, losses, strapped feet, jet lag, joy, and brotherhood. There are too many stories to tell. Too many faces to thank.”

    “It’s been an incredible journey together,” he added.

    Replying to the speedster, South African goat Ab Devilliars said: “Great player, great man, amazing memories! You picked a good song to sign off my bud. Legend forever!”

    Steyn, South Africa’s highest Test wicket-taker with 439 strikes in 93 games, made his professional debut in 2003 in a first-class game for Northerns. He stepped away from the longest format two years ago, to concentrate on white-ball cricket. Since then, he has not played in any ODIs and only three T20Is, though he did have plans of playing in one more T20 World Cup.

    Many cricketers and notables related with cricket wrote comments for the South African great.