Tag: PCB

  • ‘Babar Azam firmly behind squad for T20 World Cup’: Wasim Khan

    ‘Babar Azam firmly behind squad for T20 World Cup’: Wasim Khan

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wasim Khan has brushed aside the notion that skipper Babar Azam is unhappy with the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

    In a statement issued by the PCB, Wasim said that Babar is fully behind the direction of Pakistan cricket.

    “It has come to our notice that factually incorrect reports are circulating about the Pakistan national squad environment. The squad for the upcoming international assignments has been announced and our captain Babar Azam is fully behind the direction that is being taken,” said Wasim.

    “It is important that collectively we get firmly behind the squad so that they have the stability, backing and focus they need prior to going into the ICC T20 World Cup next month,” he added.

    Since the announcement of squad, multiple local media reports had claimed that Babar was unhappy with the team selected for the mega event and had even called Ramiz Raja to express his grievances.

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

    Wasim also opened up about the “healthy and positive meeting” between the Pakistan squad and Ramiz Raja, who is likely to be PCB’s next chairman.

    “On Tuesday afternoon, some of the players had a healthy and positive meeting with former Pakistan captain and member of the PCB Board of Governors, Ramiz Raja, in which there was a consensus on the brand of cricket that needs to be played in the upcoming series and beyond,” he concluded.

  • 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.

  • Ehsan Mani resigns, Ramiz Raja will reportedly be the new PCB Chairman

    Ehsan Mani resigns, Ramiz Raja will reportedly be the new PCB Chairman

    Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ehsan Mani has resigned from the post according to reports and the new Chairman will be former cricketer Ramiz Raja.

    As per reports, Mani has told Prime Minister and PCB Patron-in-chief Imran Khan to appoint someone else as he cannot work anymore.

    It must be noted that PM Khan was satisfied with Mani’s performance and insisted that he continues as chairman. They both met for two consecutive days — Monday and Tuesday.

    Ramiz also met the premier on Monday where the two former cricketers discussed the possible candidate for chairmanship and options to improve Pakistan’s cricket.

    As per latest updates, Raja has been given an important post, but there is no official announcement from the board or Raja yet.

  • People congratulate Ramiz Raja on becoming Chairman PCB

    People congratulate Ramiz Raja on becoming Chairman PCB

    Pakistani Twitterati is congratulating former cricketer-turned commentator Ramiz Raja on becoming Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman. Raja is in the running for PCB’s top slot but there is no confirmation yet if he will indeed be appointed or not.

    Journalist Ejaz Wasim Bakhri turned to Twitter and shared a video of Raja’s car entering Prime Minister Imran Khan’s office to meet him.

    https://twitter.com/ejazwasim/status/1429748505908846593?s=20

    While people can be heard saying that look the new chairman is going.

    Taking to Twitter, Fakhar-e-Alam congratulated the former cricketer.

    Many tweeted that he has already become the PCB Chairman.

    https://twitter.com/MalikZamad_/status/1429758835258916874?s=20

    On the other hand, Journalist Shahid Hashmi claimed that Mani will continue as the Board’s chairman.

    In another tweet, Shahid Hashmi said: “As per PCB constitution Mani’s second tenure will be three years but since he doesn’t want to serve the full term a new chairman can come next year.”

    Journalist Absa Komal also shared on Twitter that PM Khan has “selected Ramiz Raja as Chairman PCB.”

    https://twitter.com/AbsaKomal/status/1429796388007780355?s=19

    Meanwhile, it has been reported that members of the PCB’s Board of Governors (BoG) will give votes to the nominated members and the new chairman will be elected. Raja will serve as a board member and then the Chairman will be selected after re-election.

    Ex-Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has backed Ramiz Raja. Here’s what he said: “He hasn’t been going for commentary duties in the last couple of series and that gave us some signals for the future. A cricketer coming in as a chairman would benefit domestic cricket. It will bring in money.”

    People also shared jokes and memes after this news.

  • From Shahid Afridi, Junaid Khan to Fakhar Zaman, cricketers wish Pakistan a Happy Independence Day

    From Shahid Afridi, Junaid Khan to Fakhar Zaman, cricketers wish Pakistan a Happy Independence Day

    Pakistan is celebrating its 75th Independence Day today (Saturday) and while the pandemic is still raging, it hasn’t dulled our cricketers’ patriotic fervour.

    Several cricketers, including Shahid Afridi, posted beautiful and heartwarming Independence Day messages on social media.

    Taking to Instagram, former Pakistan captain Afridi shared a heartwarming video of himself holding the national flag and hoisting Kashmir’s flag with his daughters.

    Cricketer turned commentator Ramiz Raja, who is also celebrating his birthday, wished Pakistan, saying: “Happy Independence Day. So proud to be a Pakistani.”

    Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar turned to his Twitter and shared his pictures while wishing Pakistan.

    Umar Gul not only wished the nation but also prayed for it while posting a beautiful video.

    https://twitter.com/mdk_gul/status/1426264309609472005?s=19

    Junaid Khan stepped a little forward and wrapped himself in the national flag and posted a picture on Instagram.

    Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman and others also turned to their social media accounts to wish the mother land on this Independence Day.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also shared a video of Pakistani cricketers recalling how they celebrated Independence Day.

    The video include captain of Pakistan cricket team Babar Azam, Azahar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Faheem Ashraf and members of Pakistan women cricket team.

  • England tour of Pakistan 2021 schedule announced, Rawalpindi to host both series

    England tour of Pakistan 2021 schedule announced, Rawalpindi to host both series

    England men’s and women’s teams will travel to Pakistan for a bilateral series. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will be hosting both the series.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Friday, announced that the England men’s team will take on the home side in two T20Is at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi in October. The England women’s team will also play two T20Is and three ODIs against the Pakistan women’s team during the same month at the same venue.

    The England men and women’s teams will arrive in Islamabad on October 9. Subsequently, the touring sides will play the T20Is on October 13 and 14, with the matches being held as double-headers. After the completion of the T20I series, the England men’s squad will leave for Dubai on October 15.

    However, the England women’s side will stay back and partake in three ODIs on October 17,19 and 21 respectively. This will be England senior team’s (men or women) first tour to Pakistan since 2005-06. Incidentally, the matches were initially scheduled to be played at the National Stadium in Karachi on October 14 and 15, but had to be rescheduled as a result of “operational and logistical reasons”.

    “We are delighted to welcome both the England men’s team for what will be their first tour to Pakistan since 2005, and the England women’s team, who will be touring Pakistan for the first time. Both are additional tours with England men’s side scheduled to return to Pakistan in the last quarter of 2022 for white-ball and ICC World Test Championship fixtures,” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said.

  • Azam Khan taken to hospital after getting hit on head during practice

    Azam Khan taken to hospital after getting hit on head during practice

    Wicket-keeper batsman Azam Khan was taken to hospital after getting hit on the head during practice on Friday in Guyana, and has been ruled out of the second and third T20I against West Indies.

    The 22-year-old, who made his debut earlier this month against England, is learnt to have been struck by a fast bowler.

    According to a press release by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), a neurosurgeon has recommended an observation period of 24 hours following which he will be reassessed on Monday.

    His availability for the fourth and final T20I will depend on the reassessment.

    As per reports, Khan did not lose consciousness and was wearing a helmet at the time he was hit.

    Pakistan and West Indies took part in a rained-out first T20I in Barbados on Wednesday, with only nine overs possible.

    Meanwhile, all three remaining games will take place in Guyana, with Saturday’s contest the first of back-to-back weekend games, before the final match on Tuesday.

    The T20Is will be followed by two Tests starting August 12 and 20, and both will be played in Kingston.

  • ‘Where’s my miyan?’ Sarfaraz’s wife asks PCB

    ‘Where’s my miyan?’ Sarfaraz’s wife asks PCB

    The Pakistan cricket team, ahead of the start of their training for the T20I series against West Indies, spent some time at a beach resort, photos of which were shared on social media.

    The photos did not include any of Sarfaraz Ahmed, which led to an amusing exchange between his wife and the Pakistan Cricket Board.

    In the photos shared on PCB’s Twitter account, pacer Hasan Ali, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, and other players could be seen having a good time. Sarfaraz Ahmed was nowhere to be seen.

    At this, his wife Khushbakht Sarfaraz asked: “Where’s my miyan (husband)?”

    Responding to Khushbakht’s question, PCB shared a photo of Sarfaraz, where the former skipper could be seen coming out of the sea, wearing light blue shorts and a red vest.

  • PSL seven to be played in January-February 2022 to avoid clash with IPL

    PSL seven to be played in January-February 2022 to avoid clash with IPL

    The seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be played in Pakistan from January-February next year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed after consulting the six franchises. The tournament is expected to start in early January and continue till the third week of February.

    As per the press release issued by PCB, the schedule has been drawn up despite a date clash with the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia.

    Lahore and Karachi will host 17 matches each, with the final to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    The regular PSL window, since 2016, has been in February-March, but in 2022, Pakistan is hoping to host Australia. That forced PCB to work a window either before the series against Australia or after, and neither window was without its share of clashes. April-May clashes with the IPL, and that affects the broadcasting and commercial arrangements. It is also likely to affect player availability. That window will also overlap with the month of Ramzan.

    The January-February period isn’t free either, because the BBL takes place then, and a number of premier T20 players are expected to be occupied there. There is also the issue of the weather in the Punjab province of Pakistan, which tends to be foggy in winter. To deal with the weather, the PCB has decided to start the PSL in Karachi, which is in the Sindh province, in January, and then travel to Lahore, in Punjab, in February, when it is likely to be more conducive.

    The Covid-19 pandemic has hampered the PSL schedule for the past two seasons, as it has the cricket calendar around the world. The fifth and sixth editions of the tournament were both played in two chunks. The 2021 edition started in February in Pakistan but was postponed after 14 matches and completed in June in Abu Dhabi. In 2020, the tournament started on time in February, but though the league stage was completed by March, the playoffs could only be held in November.

    The seventh edition of the PSL will also have fresh broadcast and commercial partners after the previous deals concluded this year after a three-year run. The PCB has confirmed that it is presently working at a framework for the evaluation of the rights and their subsequent sale. The PCB is expected to hire an independent consultant to evaluate the value of the brand. In the last cycle, the PCB had secured a 358% rise in the broadcast deal, worth approximately USD 36 million.

  • Umar Akmal apologises for not reporting corrupt approaches

    Umar Akmal apologises for not reporting corrupt approaches

    Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal has apologised for not reporting corrupt approaches last year, which led to him being banned for 12 months.

    Akmal, 30, was suspended last year by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for not reporting spot-fixing approaches made to him before the start of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020.

    “Seventeen months ago, I made a mistake which caused damage to my cricket and career,” Akmal said in a video released by PCB on Wednesday as part of his reintegration and rehabilitation process.

    “I learnt a lot during this time and due to that mistake, Pakistan cricket’s reputation suffered badly. I ask for forgiveness from the PCB and from cricket fans around the world.”

    Akmal admitted that the ban has been a “very difficult period for him”.

    “Some people approached me but I was unable to report the same to the anti-corruption unit, due to which I had to face a 12-month ban. I couldn’t play cricket despite being a cricketer.

    “I learned a lot during this time and today I confess before all of you that that mistake brought disrepute to Pakistan cricket.”