Tag: ICC men world cup

  • 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.

  • Why is India hosting the World Cup with empty stadiums?

    Why is India hosting the World Cup with empty stadiums?

    Social media users are questioning the decision by the ICC to let India host the World Cup when there is no opening ceremony and barely any spectators in the first match.

    Interestingly, when the Asia Cup was being partially hosted by Pakistan, some Indians criticized the ‘empty stadium’ in Multan. Now, the tables have turned, India is the host, the first match is between New Zealand and England, finalists of the last World Cup, and the stadium is empty. There was no opening ceremony for ICC World Cup 2023 and honestly, we can’t see spectators either.

    This one’s hilarious, to be honest, does this remind you of Asif Zardari too?

    Twitter user Ahsan Shehzad said, “A complete empty stadium in Ahmedabad, is India the right place to host the WC??”

    Osama highlighted multiple issues regarding the World Cup being hosted in India

    Anas Tipu wanted a banter with Irfan Pathan, who blames everything on neighbors

    Trendulkar hopes that the stadium will fill up after office hours

  • Fans react to Babar Azam being ‘ignored’ by ICC in World Cup promo

    Fans react to Babar Azam being ‘ignored’ by ICC in World Cup promo

    On July 20, the International Cricket Council (ICC) shared a promo for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Cricket fans around the world have strongly reacted to Babar Azam, number one ODI batter, being ignored by the ICC in its recently released World Cup promo in which Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan also made an appearance.

    ICC tweeted: “History will be written and dreams will be realised at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. All it takes is just one day.”

    However, cricket fans were quick to point out an obvious omission by the ICC in its World Cup promo.

    The missing factor: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam.

    Read more: Babar Azam and co ready to dominate in LPL: auction data released

    Fans called out the ICC for its ‘bias’, not including Babar Azam in the promo and also for making the content more about the Indian cricket team and less about the World Cup.

    Here are some tweets by fans who were not happy with the ICC:

  • Twitter trolls Mohammad Amir for ‘chief selector ki cheap selection’ tweet

    Twitter trolls Mohammad Amir for ‘chief selector ki cheap selection’ tweet

    Pakistan Cricket Board announced the squad for T20I World Cup, England series and tri-series on Thrusday, receiving both praise and criticism from the former cricketers and fans.

    Death overs expert, Shaheen Shah, who was forced to miss Asia Cup because of a knee injury, will be back in action. Former opener, Fakhar Zaman, has been benched because of poor performance in Asia Cup 2022 while Shan Masood has been added to the squad.

    Read here: Pakistan Cricket Board announces squad for T20 World Cup

    After the announcement of the squad, Pakistan former pacer Mohammad Amir took it to twitter and wrote, “chief slector ki cheap selection.”

    Twitteratis did not take kindly to Amir’s criticism.

    People are calling out the fast bowler for match fixing. One tweep wrote, “Cheap are those who sell their country for few dollars.”

    Another user replied, “Match fixing wale b ub lecture dein gay wah,” (Wow, we will now be lectured by match fixers)

    Another one sounded disappointed in Amir’s behaviour. He wrote, “Bro why you being so toxic man, I loved you.”