Tag: Pakistan Cricket

  • PCB Awards 2020: Babar Azam, Fawad Alam win accolades

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced the winners of its awards for the year 2020. From Most Valuable Player of the Year award to Spirit of the Cricket award, PCB revealed the complete winners’ list on social media. The winners have been decided by an independent jury.

    PCB also live streamed the award announcement on its official YouTube channel. The event was hosted by Zainab Abbas.

    Here is complete list of winners

    Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam

    Period of consideration: (five Tests, three ODIs and 12 T20Is from 1 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2020)

    Test Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan

    Period of consideration: (five Tests between 1 Jan 2020 and 31 Dec 2020)

    White-ball Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam

    Period of consideration: (three ODIs and 12 T20Is from 1 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2020)

    Individual Performance of the Year – Fawad Alam

    Period of consideration: (20 international matches played between 1 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2020)

    Women’s Cricketer of the Year: Aliya Riaz

    Period of consideration: (1 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2020)

    Domestic Cricketer of the Year – Kamran Ghulam

    (Events under consideration HBL PSL 2020, National T20 Cup 2020 and first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2020)

    Men’s Emerging International Cricketer of the Year – Naseem Shah

    (International debut after September 1, 2019)

    ‘Pakistan team visiting Bangladesh dressing room after their 2-0 win in the T20I series’ – Spirit of Cricket

    Period under consideration: (1 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2020)

    Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year – Rohail Nazir

    (Players born on or after August 1, 1999 who are yet to make international debut for Pakistan. Period under consideration September 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020)

    Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year – Fatima Sana

    (Players born on or after August 1, 1999. Period under consideration 1 Sep 2019 to 31 Dec 2020)

    Umpire of the Year – Asif Yaqoob

    Period under consideration: (1 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2020)

    Corporate Achievement of the Year – HBL PSL V

    (Period under consideration: January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020)

    According to a press release, the PCB Awards 2020 are recognition and appreciation of the players and match officials for their achievements, as well as their contributions and sacrifices, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

    “All cricket in Pakistan was planned, executed and played under strict COVID-19 protocols. This meant Pakistan’s leading cricketers, player support personnel and match officials spent a large chunk of the year under tight restrictions, away from their families and friends,” added the statement.

    Winners will be presented specially designed trophies during the home series against South Africa, scheduled to take place later this month.

    Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi congratulated the winners and advised them “to build on this so that the country and the fans are proud of you in 2021 and beyond”.

  • NZvPAK: Muhammad Hafeez reinvents himself at 40

    NZvPAK: Muhammad Hafeez reinvents himself at 40

    After his career best performance in second T20I against New Zealand, Hafeez has achieved another milestone, reinventing himself at the age of 40.

    Hafeez who is fondly referred to as ‘Professor’ has achieved a milestone by equalling Shoaib Malik’s 2323 T20I runs for Pakistan. Showing his class, which comes with experience, Hafeez not coming slow at this age.

    Scoring 99 runs and not out in the second T20I against the black caps, Hafeez helped Pakistan win in the third and final match, achieving the most T20I runs scored by a player in the year 2020, that is 415 runs in total.

    Continuing his dream run in the shortest format, Hafeez pumped the New Zealand bowlers for three sixes and two fours in his valuable contribution of 41 runs.

    Hafeez’s departure was followed by Muhammad Rizwan stamping his authority on the proceedings and punishing the bowlers for their wayward lengths.

    Rizwan hit three delightful sixes, all off length deliveries, during his excellent innings and pierced the gaps with surgical precision to take his team closer to the finishing line and got out at 89 in the final over.

    Iftikhar Ahmed sealed the deal with an enormous six that touched the rooftop, stealing a win for Pakistan, beating the Kiwis with four wickets in hand.

    Hafeez took to Twitter and thanked Allah, “Alhamdu Lillah! Allah is the best planner.”

    Hafeez will now come back to Pakistan, while the national side will now face New Zealand in two Test Matches, starting December 26 under Rizwan’s captaincy.

  • Shadab to lead 15-member squad for first T20I against NZ

    The Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday announced the 15-member squad that will play the first T20 against New Zealand on December 18 (Friday).

    As per details, the team includes Shadab (C), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Wahab Riaz.

    Shadab will lead the side in absence of captain Babar Azam who has been ruled out of T20 series due to fractured thumb. The batsman had suffered the injury during a throw-down session, following which he was taken to a local hospital where X-rays confirmed the fracture. Babar will be unable to attend nets for, at least, 12 days, meaning he will not be available for the 18, 20 and 22 December T20Is to be played in Auckland, Hamilton and Napier, respectively.

    “His absence in the side will be surely felt,” said Shadab while announcing the squad.

    “However, it will provide an opportunity for new players to step up and showcase their talent,” he added.

    Shadab further said: “The team should be ready to show an aggressive performance like Babar.”

    Earlier, the squad took part in a full three-hour training session.

    The Pakistan cricket team had a rocky beginning in New Zealand with eight members of the squad testing positive for coronavirus as the team underwent quarantine in Christchurch.

    Pakistan and New Zealand will play three T20Is on December 18, 20 and 22 in Auckland, Hamilton and Napier, respectively. The Pakistan cricket team will also play two test matches against New Zealand on December 26 and January 3.

  • ‘I’d pick Mohammad Amir in every white ball game I’d coach’: Mickey Arthur

    ‘I’d pick Mohammad Amir in every white ball game I’d coach’: Mickey Arthur

    Former Pakistan Cricket Team coach Mickey Arthur, in an interview, talked about Mohammad Amir’s skills and experience, saying: “I definitely think that Amir has got a future in middle of his career. I still think that he is one of the best white ball bowlers around at the moment.”

    Appreciating Amir’s courage, he said, “The one thing I do like about Aamir is when there is a tough situation he wants the ball he doesn’t shy away from the tough situations.”

    “His execution is good. He still has got enough pace. He is a wise, more experienced player,” said Arthur.

    Concluding his remarks, he said, ”I would have Amir in any white ball cricket team that I coach.”

    Read more – Kyun Nikala?: ‘Misbah Saab he bataa saktay hain,’ says Mohammad Amir

    In a response to Mickey’s remarks, Amir replied in a tweet, “Thanks coach I would love to play under your coaching anywhere in the world.”

    It is pertinent to add here that Amir was dropped from the 35-member squad, which is currently touring New Zealand. Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq, explaining the decision said: “[Shoaib]Malik and Amir are not part of the white-ball matches as for this tour we have opted to invest, develop and focus on the promising and emerging players who are likely to be available to Pakistan for all formats.”

    John Michael “Mickey” Arthur was the coach of Pakistan Cricket Team from 2016 to 2019. He is the currently the Head Coach of the Sri Lanka national cricket team as of December 2019.

  • South Africa to make historic Pakistan tour in January after 14 years

    South Africa to make historic Pakistan tour in January after 14 years

    South Africa will tour Pakistan next month for the first time in 14 years to play two tests and three Twenty20 Internationals, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

    The five-day matches will be staged in Karachi from January 26-30 and in Rawalpindi from February 4-8, T20 fixtures will be played in Lahore from 11th February to 14th of February.

    International cricket has returned to Pakistan in the past 15 months following a militant attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009 that killed six policemen and two civilians.

    “It’s pleasing to see so many countries making a return to Pakistan — a proud, cricket-loving nation,” South Africa’s director of cricket, Graeme Smith, said in a statement.

    “I would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the hospitality and transparency they showed our security contingent when they travelled over there a few weeks ago,” he said.

    He added: “The report on their findings and recommendations gives us confidence as an organisation that all of our team’s security, playing and accommodation needs will be met, and that the wellbeing of the team will be the top priority.”

    The Cricket board of South Africa (CSA) also confirmed the tour on Twitter.

    Pakistan captain Babar Azam said that aside from the thrill of playing at home, the tour will also be a chance for his side to test their progress across the two formats.

    “I am delighted that South Africa have confirmed their tour to Pakistan and look forward to captaining my country for the first time in a home Test,” said Azam in a statement.

    “Looking at the calendar of international cricket in 2021, I am pleased we are playing more against the sides which are ranked above us,” he said. “This is critical to not only our learning and development, but also an opportunity to improve our rankings across all formats.”

  • ‘To new beginnings’: Sami Aslam call it quits with Pakistan cricket

    Pakistani test cricketer Sami Aslam has called it quits with Pakistan cricket by joining hands with USA Cricket.

    The 24-year-old opener, on his social media account, announced that he is in United States for a new beginning.

    According to reports, Aslam has struck a deal with USA Cricket that will see him spend two years and 10 months playing league cricket in the States and eventually represent the US.

    Aslam, 24, recently decided to quit Pakistan’s domestic cricket in favour of moving to the US as he was distraught at being demoted to Balochistan’s Second XI for the National T20 Cup.

    The Lahore-born cricketer was disgruntled after not being selected in the 35-member squad for the New Zealand tour despite his string of solid domestic performances in the previous campaigns.

    He has played 13 Tests and scored 758 runs at an average of 31.58 with seven half-centuries to his name.

    The left-hander’s last appearance for Pakistan came in a Test match against Sri Lanka back in 2017.

  • ‘Behave yourself’: Shoaib Akhtar slams NZ Cricket over tour threat

    ‘Behave yourself’: Shoaib Akhtar slams NZ Cricket over tour threat

    Pakistan cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar has hit out at New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for threatening to cancel Pakistan’s tour after six Pakistani players tested positive for COVID-19 at their managed isolation facility in Christchurch.

    Akhtar warned NZC to “behave” themselves for threatening to cancel the tour, accusing the New Zealand governing body of “treating the Pakistan team like a club team”.

    “New Zealand’s comment that if Pakistan team’s SOPs (standard operating procedures) are not in place then they will cancel the tour, is below the belt,” Akhtar said in a video on his YouTube channel.

    “I want to give a message to NZC that this is not a club team, it’s Pakistan national cricket team,” said the former cricketer. “We don’t need you. Our cricket has not finished.”

    Akhtar went on to say, “You will get money for broadcasting rights. So, you should be indebted to us that we decided to tour your country in such difficult times.”

    “You are talking about Pakistan — the greatest country on the planet — so behave yourself and stop giving such statements. Be careful next time. Pakistan team now needs to smash them in T20 series.”

    “The PCB should show some toughness,” he remarked.

    Akhtar also said, “If I was in their place, I would have given a statement saying that if NZC isn’t happy, we won’t play them and will bring our team back and we won’t play against you for five years.”

    Earlier, NZC was appraised that some members of the Pakistan team had violated protocols on the first day of managed isolation. The entire team was given a “final warning” by the government for breaching rules.

    New Zealand’s Ministry of Health stated that several team members had been seen on CCTV at the facility breaching managed isolation rules despite “clear, consistent and detailed communication of expected behaviors while in the facility”.

    In a statement, the ministry said that the team as a whole has been issued a final warning.

    The health ministry shared that the 53 members of the squad arrived in Christchurch on November 24 and were tested on day one, with the six cases coming as a result of the tests.

    All cases were being moved to quarantine rooms within the facility. Members of the team will be tested a minimum of four times while in managed isolation, the health ministry informed.

    While Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not officially confirmed the names, journalists have shared their pictures which include former captain Sarfraz Ahmed, Abid Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Rohail Nazir, Danish Aziz and Naseem Shah.

    According to reports, the players are unhappy in quarantine, especially after the positive cases and the isolation feels like a prison sentence for them.

    Players weren’t able to condole with middle-order batsman Khushdil Shah, whose father passed away recently. The process was carried out through phone calls, instead.

    Pakistan is set to face the Black Caps in three T20 internationals and two tests, with the first match on December 18.

  • Only two Pakistanis nominated for ICC Awards of the Decade

    Only two Pakistanis nominated for ICC Awards of the Decade

    The International Cricket Council (ICC), on Thursday, announced the nominations for the Awards of the Decade in the men’s and women’s categories. Two Pakistani male cricketers have been nominated for the awards.

    According to details, former captain of the Pakistan cricket team and current head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and leg-spinner Yasir Shah are the only two Pakistanis nominated for the awards.

    60 nominations have been made and the winners for each category will be selected through votes cast by fans around the world. The final announcements regarding the winners of their respective categories will be made on December 18.

    Misbah was nominated for the ICC’s Spirit of Cricket Award of the Decade whereas Shah was nominated for the prestigious category of Men’s Test Player of the Decade.

    The former captain of the Pakistan side had won the ICC’s Spirit of Cricket Award for the year 2016 after leading his side to the number-one spot in the ICC’s Test rankings for the very first time since its inception.

    Meanwhile, five Indian cricketers have been nominated in different categories from which four are men and one woman cricketer. Indian skipper Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, R Ashwin and Mithali Raj are nominated in different categories of men and women. Interesting thing is that Kohli is the only player to be nominated in all five men’s categories in the ICC Player of the Decade Award.

    Fans can vote for their favorite player and they can also win prizes by registering on the website. Voting opened on November 25 and will be closed on December 16.

    Nominations list for each category can be read on the official website of ICC.

  • Pakistan cricket team departs for NZ without Fakhar Zaman

    The Pakistan cricket team departed for their month-long tour of New Zealand in the wee hours of Monday. Upon arrival, the team will enter a two-week quarantine period in Lincoln in line with the New Zealand government’s COVID-19 protocols.

    The 54-member squad includes 34 players and 20 officials.

    Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20Is and two Tests during the tour. The T20 matches will be played on December 18, 20 and 22 whereas the two Test matches are scheduled to be played on December 26 and January 3.

    According to details, the squad will be in isolation for the first three days after arriving in NZ. After the first phase of COVID-19 testing, the players will be divided into groups and all activities, including training, will continue in those respective groups.

    During quarantine, there will be three rounds of COVID-19 tests and after 14 days, the squad will be allowed to move around freely.

    Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out of the tour to New Zealand after showing symptoms of COVID-19 before the squad’s departure. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a press release, confirmed that Fakhar has fever and is yet to recover in time for the Pakistan squad’s departure for the tour.

    The board said the decision to withdraw Fakhar from the tour was made keeping the health of the rest of the squad members as a top priority.

    “Fakhar has been isolated in the team hotel in Lahore as soon as his condition was detected and the PCB’s medical panel is now monitoring him,” stated PCB.

    Earlier on November 11, Head Coach Misbah-ul-Haq had announced the 35-player squad for Pakistan’s tour to New Zealand.

  • England to tour Pakistan after 16 years

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the England cricket team will visit Pakistan for a short tour in October 2021.

    According to details, England’s men’s team will make their first visit to Pakistan in 16 years for a two-match T20 International series next October. The two games, to be held in Karachi on October 14 and 15, will be part of the 2021 T20 World Cup build-up.

    England will arrive in Karachi on October 12, and both the sides will depart for India on October 16 for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the end of the series.

    Sharing his thoughts on the development, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “I am delighted to confirm that England will be touring Pakistan to play two T20Is in October 2021. This will be their first visit to Pakistan for 16 years and will open the door for both Test and white-ball tours in the 2022-23 season.”

    He added, “The ECB’s confirmation further endorses Pakistan as safe and secure. Importantly, this announcement speaks volumes for the relationship that we have with the ECB and I would like to thank the ECB for their strong will and desire to make this short tour a reality.”

    Meanwhile, Chief Executive of England Cricket Board Tom Harrison said that it is “a real pleasure” to announce the tour.

    “This will be the first time since 2005 that an England team has toured Pakistan and, as such, it represents a significant moment for both nations,” said Harrison.

    England last toured Pakistan in 2005 when they played three Tests and five One-Day Internationals. The subsequent series between the two sides in 2012 and 2015 were played in the United Arab Emirates.

    PCB announces Super League fixtures against England

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket team will be touring England and Wales in July 2021. The tour will comprise three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League ODIs and as many T20Is.

    As per the press release, the ODIs will be played in Cardiff, London (Lord’s) and Birmingham on July 8, 10 and 13 respectively while the T20Is will be held in Nottingham, Leeds and Manchester on July 16, 18 and 20 respectively.

    Read more – Are IPL’s Mumbai Indians the greatest domestic T20 side ever?

    England leads the points table of the qualification league for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with 30 points from two three-ODI series. Pakistan shares the second spot with Australia on 20 points following a 2-1 series win over Zimbabwe, while Zimbabwe and Ireland are on 10 points each.

    The remaining eight sides in the 13-team competition are yet to play their opening fixtures in the Super League from which the seven top-ranked sides and World Cup hosts India will progress directly for the event proper to take place in October/November 2023.

    The ODI series against England will be one of Pakistan’s three away fixtures in 2021 with the other two being against South Africa (April 2021) and Afghanistan (September 2021). In addition to these away series, Pakistan will play two home Super League fixtures against New Zealand and the West Indies in October and December 2021, respectively.

    Pakistan is presently sixth in ODIs behind England, India, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, while Babar Azam’s side is ranked fourth behind Australia, England and India in T20Is. Pakistan sits seventh in Tests.