Tag: PCB

  • Yeh kya ho raha hay? Babar, Rizwan back in university

    Yeh kya ho raha hay? Babar, Rizwan back in university

    Pakistan cricket team skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan went back into university life as the batting duo joined the prestigious Harvard Business School’s executive education programme on the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports (BEMS), becoming the first two cricketers to join the prestigious school.

    Babar Azam on Monday night shared a picture on his Twitter account, reminding every student of hostel life, where everyone is tense and worried and studying hard just one night before an exam.

    Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan are the number two and three ranked batsman in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings. Twitter reacted hilariously when the superstars shared a picture of them studying in a room.

    It is a proud moment for Pakistan as the two stars become the first ever cricketers to take part in this business course.
    In the press release issued by the management company of the two players, -Saya Corporation- it is said that the program taught at Harvard Business School in Boston will continue from May 31 to June 3. After which both will hold meetings with various communities in America till June 13.

    Details of Harvard Business Programme

    Programme details have been shared on the school’s website, where they have stated that the programme in which Babar and Rizwan are placed is called the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports (BEMS). It is structured with new modules and techniques on how to develop new business, why some startups becomes successful and why some fail.

    It states that the need for digital technology is most felt in the entertainment industry today and the course discusses the latest approaches in this regard.

    This course will teach you how to make the best decisions, how to take advantage of market fluctuations and how to achieve long-lasting profits.

    Course fees stated on the website is $10,500 but it is not clear yet who is paying the fee of the two star players.

  • Will PCB lose right to hosting Asia Cup 2023?

    Will PCB lose right to hosting Asia Cup 2023?

    The Asia Cup controversy is showing no sign of ending, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not want to end the stalemate with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

    BCCI has rejected the proposal of a hybrid model proposed by PCB, with Indian officials rejecting the offer to play in Dubai. The Indian government’s rigid influence did not let Asian Cricket Council (ACC) solve the dispute amicably.

    As of PCB’s proposed hybrid model, which suggested that the first four matches will be played in Pakistan and the rest of the tournament moves to a neutral venue, Pakistan demanded that India first accepts it, then Board officials will decide which country will host the rest of the matches.

    Revenue concerns are the first priority of Pakistan, with Dubai being the favorite choice.

    Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have expressed concerns over weather conditions in Dubai. Sri Lanka is up in line for hosting Asia Cup 2023.

    Media speculation suggests that they secretly shook hands with BCCI and hinted to ACC that the weather is also suitable there.

    As time passes, Pakistan is losing its grip on hosting Asia Cup 2023 with Asian teams looking to favour India. PCB Chairman Najam Sethi has said that if the hosting rights will be stolen from the country, then Pakistan will also not play World Cup 2023 in India.

  • ICC Chairman and CEO all set to visit Lahore on Tuesday

    ICC Chairman and CEO all set to visit Lahore on Tuesday

    International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Greg Barclay and Chief Executive Geoff Allardice will arrive in Lahore on Tuesday morning on a two-day visit, during which they will meet Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Mr Najam Sethi (also an ICC Director), PCB Chief Operating Officer Barrister Salman Naseer and other board officials.

    While Mr Allardice has regularly visited Pakistan, first as ICC General Manager – Cricket and then as ICC Chief Executive, this will be Mr Barclay’s first visit to Pakistan.

    Mr Barclay will be the first ICC Chairman to tour Pakistan since ICC President Ray Mali’s visit in 2008. This will also be the first time since October 2004 when both the top two ICC officials will together visit the Pakistan cricket headquarters.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an open invitation to media to cover the arrival of ICC top officials.

    While the purpose of this meeting is not disclosed yet, speculations are rife that ICC officials are here to discuss World Cup 2023 dispute with Najam Sethi.

    Mr. Sethi has made it clear that if India accepts their hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023, then they will also propose a same model for World Cup 2023 as Pakistan cricket team also has security concerns in India.

    However, he also said that the country’s government will have the right to decide (BBC).

  • Has BCCI accepted Hybrid Model for Asia Cup 2023?

    Has BCCI accepted Hybrid Model for Asia Cup 2023?

    During the past few days, news media had been inundated with reports that Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to a hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023 and are ready to play at the neutral venue.

    After reports emerged that the BCCI has agreed to the hybrid model suggested by PCB, Indian board officials refuted the reports.

    “The respective presidents of…Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka cricket boards will grace IPL 2023 final…We will have hold discussions with them for outlining the future course of action in relation to Asia Cup 2023,” BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has said.

    According to Indian media reports, BCCI wants to shift the whole tournament to a neutral venue but the dispute is unresolved as Pakistan is not backing off from hosting duties.

    At this time, BCCI likely wants to shift the tournament to Sri Lanka as their board has already given a green signal by assuring ACC of suitable weather conditions.

    Sources had earlier said that the Indian board has agreed to play the Asia Cup under Pakistan’s hybrid model.

    According to the sources, Indian Cricket Board Secretary Jay Shah has accepted PCB’s proposal, under which four matches of the Asia Cup will be held in Pakistan and the rest at neutral venues.

  • Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan in emerging women’s T20 Asia Cup

    Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan in emerging women’s T20 Asia Cup

    Women’s T20 Asia Cup will be hosted by Hong Kong this year in which Bangladesh A, India A, Pakistan A, Sri Lanka A, Thailand A, Hong Kong, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates will participate in the tournament.

    Fatima Sana will represent the green flag and lead her team in the tournament. She has played 31 One-Day Internationals and 24 T20 Internationals. The young player has been in the good books of selectors from a long time and named as captain because of her magnificent performance as skipper of Strikkersfor this squad. She also led Blasters’ successful T20 Championship campaign in Lahore in December.

    Squad: Fatima Sana (c), Anoosha Nasir, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Gulrukh, Lubna Behram, Najiha Alvi (wk), Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Yusra Amir. Reserves: Amber Kainat, Dua Majid, Fatima Khan and Rameen Shamim

    Pakistan are slotted in Group A with Hong Kong, India A and Thailand A. Pakistan will open their campaign on 13 June with the match against Thailand A, after which they play Hong Kong and India A on 15 and 17 June, respectively. Top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals which will be played on 19 June. The final of the tournament will be held on 21 June.

    Chief selector Saleem Jaffar said, “I want to congratulate all players who have been selected for the emerging Asia Cup and I am hopeful that they will perform to their full potential. We have some outstanding talent coming up and it was a tough call to select 14 players.

    I want to tell those cricketers who have not been selected for this tournament to keep their heads high and keep working hard and they will definitely get chances in the upcoming events.

    “We have been observing these players since the camp in Multan and we have tested them in different conditions, with their most recent challenge being the three T20 matches against our top international players.

    “Fatima Sana has displayed some outstanding leadership credentials in domestic tournaments recently, and I am sure she will lead this side with example.”

    Fatima Sana stated that it is an honour for her to captain Pakistan in the upcoming tournament.

    “The responsibility of leading the emerging side will definitely help me develop as a cricketer and I am eagerly looking forward to leading my team in this important tournament. These players are full of energy and are excited for the opportunity ahead of them.

    “We have had good practice over the last few weeks, and the Pakistan Cup Women’s Cricket Tournament provided us ample match practice against tough sides. Ahead of these matches, we had a healthy discussion as a team amongst ourselves that we have to make the most of these matches, and I am glad how every player stepped up and contributed in each game.”

    The emerging team’s pre-tournament camp will begin tomorrow, Thursday, at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance and will run until 8 June. They will depart for Hong Kong on 9 June.

    Player support personnel: Aisha Jalil (manager), Mohsin Kamal (head coach), Muhammad Kamran Hussain (assistant coach), Muhammad Usman Shahid (analyst) and Rabia Siddiq (physiotherapist).

    The national women’s selection committee includes Asmavia Iqbal, Marina Iqbal and Mohtashim Rashid.

  • World Cup 2023: ICC announces qualifier schedule for mega event

    World Cup 2023: ICC announces qualifier schedule for mega event

    Two times world champions, the once-mighty West-Indies and 1996 champions Sri Lanka will have to pass the qualifier round for the upcoming World Cup 2023. The tournament will be taking place in India, who won the coveted trophy the last time they hosted the tournament.

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the schedule for the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The tournament will be held in Zimbabwe from 18 June to 9 July 2023. The 10 teams taking part in the qualifier are split into two groups of five teams.

    Group A:

    West Indies
    Netherlands
    Nepal
    Papua New Guinea
    United States

    Group B:

    Sri Lanka
    Zimbabwe
    Ireland
    Scotland
    United Arab Emirates
    The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, where they will play each other once. The top two teams from the Super Six stage will qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, which will be held in India from 9 October to 20 November 2023.

    The full schedule for the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier is as follows:

    Group A

    18 June: West Indies vs Netherlands (Harare Sports Club)
    19 June: Nepal vs Papua New Guinea (Takashinga Cricket Club)
    19 June: United States vs Ireland (Queen’s Sports Club)
    20 June: West Indies vs Nepal (Harare Sports Club)
    20 June: Netherlands vs Papua New Guinea (Takashinga Cricket Club)
    21 June: United States vs Ireland (Queen’s Sports Club)
    22 June: West Indies vs United States (Harare Sports Club)
    22 June: Nepal vs Ireland (Takashinga Cricket Club)
    23 June: Netherlands vs Papua New Guinea (Queen’s Sports Club)

    Group B

    19 June: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe (Harare Sports Club)
    19 June: Ireland vs United Arab Emirates (Queen’s Sports Club)
    19 June: Scotland vs Netherlands (Takashinga Cricket Club)
    20 June: Sri Lanka vs Ireland (Harare Sports Club)
    20 June: Zimbabwe vs United Arab Emirates (Queen’s Sports Club)
    21 June: Scotland vs Netherlands (Takashinga Cricket Club)
    22 June: Sri Lanka vs Scotland (Harare Sports Club)
    22 June: Ireland vs Netherlands (Queen’s Sports Club)
    23 June: Zimbabwe vs United Arab Emirates (Takashinga Cricket Club)

    Super Six

    26 June: 1st Group A vs 2nd Group B (Harare Sports Club)
    26 June: 3rd Group A vs 4th Group B (Queen’s Sports Club)
    27 June: 1st Group B vs 2nd Group A (Harare Sports Club)
    27 June: 3rd Group B vs 4th Group A (Queen’s Sports Club)
    29 June: 1st Group A vs 3rd Group B (Harare Sports Club)
    29 June: 2nd Group A vs 4th Group B (Queen’s Sports Club)
    Playoff

    3 July: 3rd/4th place play-off (Harare Sports Club)
    5 July: Final (Harare Sports Club)
    The 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier is a crucial tournament for the teams involved, as the top two teams will qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The tournament is also a chance for the teams to gain valuable experience playing against top-quality opposition.

  • Uncertainty on Asia Cup about to end, India up for the hybrid model

    Uncertainty on Asia Cup about to end, India up for the hybrid model

    Sections of the Indian media have announced that India will agree to the hybrid model with a few caveats attached.

    The uncertainty surrounding Asia Cup 2023 hosting venue is seemingly about to be resolved amicably on some give and take conditions, the two neighboring boards Board of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have decided, with both holding negotiations on what they can do for each other.

    Indian media reports have stated that if Pakistan will give written surety that they will travel to India for World Cup 2023 than they will accept the hybrid model proposed by PCB.

    BCCI will formally announce the decision at its May 27 meeting of the general body of the board.

    However, there are now questions on the statement of PCB management committee chairman Najam Sethi in which he said without mincing his words that if India agreed on hybrid model then Pakistan will also propose a similar model for the World Cup in which the country will play their matches in Dhaka.

    If India has security concerns in Pakistan, likewise Pakistan has security concerns in India.

    In a recent statement Mr. Sethi cleared that he has not said that Pakistan will not play the International Cricket Council (ICC) mega event. It is the decision of the government, he said.

    According to hybrid model, India will play their matches at a neutral venue like UAE or Sri Lanka.

    According to sources, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) will announce the Asia Cup schedule after India’s decision.

    It should be noted that the ICC World Cup is to be played in India this year, but before that, the Asia Cup will be hosted by Pakistan, in which India refused to participate, after which Pakistan also refused to go to India to participate in the World Cup. However, discussions are ongoing between the two boards on the hybrid model proposed by Pakistan.

  • Shahid Afridi, Misbah-Ul-Haq, Younis Khan to represent Pakistan at Over-40s World Cup

    Shahid Afridi, Misbah-Ul-Haq, Younis Khan to represent Pakistan at Over-40s World Cup

    ‘Boom Boom’ Shahid Afridi will don the national colours once again along with multiple former superstars of cricket to represent Pakistan at the Over 40s World Cup, set to take place in September-October this year.

    The country’s veteran cricketers association has announced.

    Afridi, who represented Pakistan from 1996 to 2016, agreed to feature for the team after a meeting with Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association chairman Fawad Ijaz Khan and other officials on Thursday, said a PVCA press release.

    The former all-rounder currently runs a social welfare foundation in his own name which will be the “CSR Partner” for the tournament, according to the association.

    The Over 40s World Cup will see eight teams from Australia, West Indies, Canada, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, UAE and the US vie for the honours at the National Bank Stadium here from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8.

    Along with Pakistan’s most famous cricket star Shahid Afridi, former captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan will be the part of the emerging tournament.

  • Get ready Lahore for hosting four matches of Asia Cup

    Get ready Lahore for hosting four matches of Asia Cup

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly all set to disclose the hybrid model venue for Asia Cup 2023, with Gadhafi Stadium in Lahore emerging as the most likely host of the first four matches of the tournament.

    Lahore will be the hot favorite city to host because the country’s cricketing board is there and the city hosted the New Zealand series and PSL final for two years straight.

    Only four matches will take place in Lahore before the action shifts to Dubai under the current proposed model.

    As per media reports, Dubai International Stadium is the favorite option for the second venue in which India can play their matches as well as the rest of teams.

    Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) however has shown concerns over weather conditions in Dubai and rejected the proposal sent by PCB.

    BCB has reportedly said raised that they have no issues if the whole tournament shifts to Pakistan or even Sri Lanka, but they will not take any risk regarding players health ahead of World Cup 2023.

    PCB is reportedly trying to sort out the issue to ease teams’ concerns about the heat in Dubai, mulling changing the starting time of matches to 4:30 PM to alleviate concerns about player safety.

    India’s BCCI is not expected to raise objections over the 2023 Asia Cup venues given the fact that it will not be sending a team to Pakistan anyways.

    The 2023 Asia Cup is scheduled to take place in September with Pakistan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh taking part in the tournament.

  • New appointments in Pakistan men’s team selection committee

    New appointments in Pakistan men’s team selection committee

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee has confirmed three new appointments in the men’s team selection committee ahead of two international mega-events, Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023.

    These selection committee changes will create an impact on the team’s current performance and the current squad as many changes in the squad are expected upon the arrival of director Mickey Arthur.

    The new selection committee comprises Haroon Rashid (chair), Hassan Cheema (selection committee secretary and manager analytics and team strategy for national men’s side), Mickey Arthur (national men’s team’s director), and Grant Bradburn (national men’s team’s head coach).

    Mickey Arthur previously served Pakistan as head coach in Champion’s Trophy 2017, which Pakistan won and in the 2019 World Cup.

    The presence of Cheema, who has worked as strategy manager and data analyst in franchise cricket around the world, Arthur, and Bradburn will aid in strategising for the ipcoming series, enhance the bench strength and provide a proper pathway to performing players in Shaheens and U19 sides to graduate to the national side.

    The first task of the selection committee is to name the players for the fast and spin bowling camps next month in Lahore, which will be announced in due course.