Author: ali.hassan

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday unveiled the complete schedule of the men’s domestic cricket tournaments set to take place in the year 2025.

Three first-class tournaments, including the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I, will headline Pakistan’s bumper domestic cricket calendar.

Apart from the red-ball, focus will also be placed on white-ball tournaments, which include one 50-over List-A event, three T20 and one non-first-class three-day tournament.

Development cricket has seen some exciting changes as well with the introduction of the U15 and U17 tournaments, and the Champions U19 One-Day Cup and three-day Trophy. These three events will serve as a clear pathway for aspiring and talented cricketers.

A total of 21 domestic, age-group and pathways cricket tournaments are set to take place according the schedule of 2025. This includes a minimum of 131 first-class, 37 50-over List-A and 119 T20 matches.

Additionally, the club, age group, schools, colleges and universities tournaments are set to yield more than 10,000 matches across the country, further creating opportunities for emerging cricketers.

The 18-team National T20 Cup will take place in March and will provide opportunities to players from 16 regions across Pakistan to showcase their talent in the shortest format.

President’s Trophy Grade-II, the non-first-class three-day departmental tournament, will be held in April and May, which will be a battleground for the departments vying for places in the 50-over List-A and first-class departmental tournaments.

The exciting Pakistan Super League 10 will catch the eye-balls in April and May, following which the senior men’s domestic events will come to a three-month halt.

During this time period, the PCB will hold training, fitness and conditioning camps across the 16 regions to get the players ready for the upcoming domestic tournaments, while also preparing for the second half of the year, which again promises to be exciting, competitive and challenging.

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the Champions Cup – the two premier first-class tournaments – are set to take place in September and October.

These events will provide the players opportunities to perform in red-ball matches and strengthen their claims for places in the Pakistan Test side.

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The 50-over List-A tournament – President’s Cup Grade-I – is slotted for the November-December window, which will be followed by the second edition of the Champions T20 Cup. The Champions Cup One-Day tournament will be played in January 2026.

On the age-group and Pathways front, the PCB has reassessed the U13 and U16 categories and relaunched them as U15 and U17 to maximise the participation of teenagers in the national tournaments.

The decision also aims at nurturing the talent early and providing the youngsters with plenty of time in their respective age groups to grow and emerge.

The National U19 Cup will be contested between 18 regional teams in September as the top performers of the Inter-District U19 players will progress to regional academies and then take part in this tournament.

After working their way up from the Club and District and Regional level, the best of the best U19 men’s cricketers will be assembled as part of the inaugural five-team Champions U19 Cup and Trophy under the guidance of the five mentors, which is set to take place in October and November.

The District U19 and senior events along with the Inter-Schools, Collegiate and Universities tournaments are also set to take place as usual helping Pakistan cricket widen the talent scouting net in the year 2025.

Domestic cricket schedule 2025 (Subject to any late changes)

Men’s domestic Tournaments

January-February – President’s Trophy Grade-I (first-class)

March – National T20 Cup

April-May – President’s Trophy Grade-II (non-first-class three-day)

April-May – Pakistan Super League 10

September-October – Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

September-October – Champions four-day Cup (first-class)

November-December – President’s Cup Grade-I (50-over List-A)

December – Champions T20 Cup

Age-group and Pathways Tournaments

January-June – National Club Championship (Grade-I and II)

February – National U15 One-Day Tournament

February – National U17 One-day Tournament

February-April – Challenge League Senior (two-day)

April – Challenge U19 One-day Cup (Intra-District)

May – Regional Inter-District U19

May-June – Regional Inter-District Senior Tournament

June-July-August – Regional U19 Academies

September – National U19 Cup (Inter-regional)

October-November – Champions U19 One-day Cup and three-day Trophy

September-October – Inter-Schools Tournament

October-November – Inter-Colleges Tournament

November – Inter-University Tournament

READ: ICC delegation reviews Champions Trophy preparations at National Bank Stadium

Trials for the Pakistan Street Child Football Team are in full swing across the country, aiming to select young talent for the prestigious Norway Cup 2025 and Street Child World Cup 2026.

In the first phase, trials have been successfully completed in 12 cities across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

These cities include Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Peshawar, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, and others. The trials witnessed an overwhelming response, with a large number of young players participating enthusiastically.

The next phase of trials will focus on Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Young athletes from these regions will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and secure a spot in the national team.

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To ensure fair competition, the maximum age limit for participants has been set at 17 years.

The Norway Cup 2025 will be held in Oslo, Norway, from July 26 to August 2. Meanwhile, the Street Child World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in the United States of America (USA) in February and March, bringing together talented young players from around the globe.

These tournaments not only provide a platform for underprivileged youth to shine on the global stage but also inspire countless others across the country.

The ongoing trials reflect Pakistan’s commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting football as a sport of unity and opportunity.

READ: PCB Chairman inspects Gaddafi Stadium upgrades, reveals completion date

Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has invited Prince Saud bin Mishal Al Saud, the chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), to visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The two cricket officials met in Riyadh to discuss avenues for collaboration, player development, and the growth of cricket in Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting, Naqvi assured full support for cricket promotion in Saudi Arabia, including assistance with stadium construction and player training programs.

He emphasized the importance of fostering cricket ties between the two nations and suggested initiating a player exchange program to help develop emerging talent.

“Saudi Arabia is like a second home to every Pakistani, and we are delighted to offer our support for the growth of cricket here,” Mohsin Naqvi stated.

“We will provide full support for cricket development and the construction of stadiums,” he added.

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“Saudi Arabia can send its emerging players to Pakistan. A player exchange program can also be initiated for cricket development,” Naqvi concluded.

Prince Saud bin Mishal expressed his gratitude to Mohsin Naqvi for the invitation to the Champions Trophy.

He welcomed the collaboration, revealing that Saudi Arabia currently has around 18,000 active cricket players and has achieved significant milestones, including winning the ACC Challenge Cup.

“We are eager to work closely with Pakistan to develop cricket in Saudi Arabia, and this partnership can open new horizons for our players,” he said.

On the other hand, the deadlock surrounding the Champions Trophy is at a standstill as the International Cricket Council (ICC) is awaiting a response from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the PCB’s ‘fusion formula.’

While there are indications that the BCCI is inclined to accept this ‘fusion formula,’ the situation remains fluid, and there has yet to be any official communication or update on the matter.

READ: Mitchell Santner named New Zealand’s full-time white-ball captain

The Melbourne Stars have announced that the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will once again feature a dedicated Pakistan fan zone during the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 14.

This initiative coincides with the return of talented Pakistan spinner Usama Mir to the Stars’ lineup, creating an even more vibrant atmosphere for his dedicated fans.

Mir played for the Melbourne Stars in the previous season too, taking five wickets over the course of five matches.

The dedicated fan zone, aptly named “Pakistan Bay,” will serve as a vibrant gathering spot for fans to come together, celebrate, and cheer on the Melbourne Stars during their home games.

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Memberships for these exclusive fan zones are now available for the first four home matches, scheduled for December 18, January 4, January 9, and January 19.

These exciting new initiatives are in alignment with Cricket Australia’s (CA) Multicultural Action Plan, which aims to foster inclusivity and provide brilliant experiences for cricket fans from diverse backgrounds.

For the unversed, CA set up similar fan zones during Pakistan’s recent tour of Australia for the six-match white-ball series in November.

The Melbourne Stars will kick off their BBL 14 campaign on December 15 against the Perth Scorchers in the season opener. Meanwhile, the grand finale of BBL 14 will be played on January 27, 2025.

READ: Joe Root goes past Rahul Dravid’s record in Test cricket

Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah has stated that the team’s spirited performance in the first ODI against Australia has boosted their confidence, which will help them make a strong comeback in the second ODI.

Pakistan lost the first ODI by two wickets at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) after a spirited performance with the ball while defending a modest 203-run total.

The second match of the series will be played on 8 November (tomorrow) in Adelaide, while Perth will host the third ODI on 10 November.

While talking to the media on Thursday in Adelaide, Naseem shared that the team discussed the shortcomings in the last match and will aim to win the second ODI to level the series.

“We have learned a lot from the last game and are working to rectify those lessons in the next game,” said Naseem.

“The entire team sat down and discussed ways to improve for upcoming matches. We analyzed our batting mistakes and aimed to improve them. Our bowling effort was fantastic, and we plan to enhance it further.”

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For the unversed, Naseem Shah was forced to leave the field after two balls into his eighth over due to cramps during the first ODI against Australia in Melbourne.

He spoke about his current fitness level, emphasizing that muscle cramps are a common occurrence that can strike any athlete, regardless of how fit or well-conditioned they may be.

“Alhamdulillah, I am completely fine. Cramps are a common thing; they can happen to anyone, whether a batter or a bowler, regardless of their fitness level,” the fast bowler remarked.

“Cramps can come up at any time, and they take some time to recover from. But now, I have fully recovered.”

Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against Australia

Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (vc) and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: Legendary Australian captain urges Babar Azam to follow Virat Kohli’s footsteps

ADELAIDE: The Pakistan squad carried out an extensive training session at the Adelaide Oval here on Thursday ahead of the second ODI against Australia.

After a disappointing loss in Melbourne, the Pakistan cricket squad immersed themselves in an intensive practice session to prepare for the crucial second match, scheduled to be played tomorrow.

The batters engaged in focused drills with net bowlers, honing their skills and refining their technique to ensure they were primed for performance. Meanwhile, the fast bowlers dedicated themselves to rigorous physical conditioning and fielding practice.

The entire team participated in a variety of targeted drills—ranging from batting and bowling practices to comprehensive fielding exercises—all designed to bolster their readiness for the crucial showdown.

Pakistan lost the first ODI by two wickets at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) after a spirited performance with the ball.

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The second match of the series will be played on 8 November in Adelaide, while Perth will host the third ODI on 10 November.

The ODI series will be followed by a three-match T20I series, scheduled to commence on November 14. Brisbane will host the first T20I, with the next matches scheduled for November 16 and 18 in Sydney and Hobart, respectively.

Notably, wicket-keeper Josh Inglis is set to captain Australia for the first time as he will lead the side in the third ODI against Pakistan as well as the following T20I series.

Regular ODI captain Pat Cummins as well as star players Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will not play the third ODI in Perth in order to prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Test series against India.

Meanwhile, T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh will miss the three-match T20I series against Pakistan starting November 14 due to his paternity leave.

READ: PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Asif for World Snooker Championship victory

DOHA: Pakistani cueist Mohammad Asif has defeated Iran’s Ali Gharahgozlou to claim the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Snooker Championship 2024 title here on Wednesday.

The 42-year-old player made his entrance into the tournament as a qualifier, having received a nomination from the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) to participate as a wild card entrant.

He seized the opportunity with remarkable determination, delivering breathtaking performances that captivated audiences throughout the tournament.

Mohammad Asif clinched the coveted IBSF World Snooker Championship 2024 title with a score of 5-3 against Ali Gharahgozlou in the final.

Asif started the match with an impressive display of skill, dominating the opening frame with a commanding score of 70-25. However, Gharahgozlou quickly found his rhythm in the second frame, levelling the contest with a resounding victory of 87-7.

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Undeterred, Asif regained his momentum in the third frame, showcasing his talent by winning decisively at 82-8.

The Pakistani cueist then delivered a breathtaking performance in the fourth frame, executing a flawless 106 clearance break, which was his sixth-century break of the tournament.

Asif continued to exhibit his prowess in the fifth frame, further solidifying his advantage with a convincing 82-12 win, bringing his lead to a solid 4-1.

Although Gharahgozlou fought back valiantly, claiming victories in both the sixth and seventh frames, Asif proved too strong. He sealed his victory in the eighth frame with a stellar performance, executing a remarkable 93-point break.

This is the third individual world title of Mohammad Asif, having previously won championships in 2012 and 2019.

Moreover, he has also clinched two team titles, which makes him the most decorated cueist in the history of Pakistan with five world titles.

READ: Ramiz Raja defends Babar Azam amid criticism after first Australia ODI

ADELAIDE: The Pakistan squad carried out an extensive training session here on Wednesday ahead of the second ODI against Australia.

According to the details, the Pakistan squad engaged in a rigorous practice session for a crucial second match after losing the first match in Melbourne.

The players partook in several batting, bowling and fielding drills to boast their preparations for the upcoming clash at the Adelaide Oval ground.

For the unversed, Pakistan lost the first ODI by two wickets at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) after a spirited performance with the ball.

The second match of the series will be played on 8 November in Adelaide, while Perth will host the third ODI on 10 November.

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The ODI series will be followed by a three-match T20I series, scheduled to commence on November 14.

Brisbane will host the first T20I, with the next matches scheduled for November 16 and 18 in Sydney and Hobart, respectively.

Notably, wicket-keeper Josh Inglis is set to captain Australia for the first time as he will lead the side in the third ODI against Pakistan as well as the following T20I series.

Regular ODI captain Pat Cummins as well as star players Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will not play the third ODI in Perth in order to prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Test series against India.

Meanwhile, T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh will miss the three-match T20I series against Pakistan starting November 14 due to his paternity leave.

READ: Josh Inglis to lead Australia in third ODI against Pakistan

World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) has announced the schedule for the upcoming fourth edition of the Blind Cricket T20 World Cup, set to begin on November 23 in Lahore.

The mega event, which will run until December 3, will feature teams from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, Nepal, Afghanistan, and host nation Pakistan. Defending champions India will compete to retain their title.

The opening match of the tournament will take place on November 23 between South Africa and Pakistan at the GIC Cricket Ground in DHA, Lahore. Traditional rivals Pakistan and India will face off on November 25.

According to Syed Sultan Shah, President of the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC), foreign teams are expected to arrive by November 21.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for November 22 in Lahore. Lahore will host 15 matches, including the opening match, while Multan will host the semifinals, the final, and a total of 9 matches.

Blind T20 Cricket World Cup Schedule

Pakistan vs South Africa, 23 November

Sri Lanka vs Nepal, 23 November

India vs Bangladesh, 23 November

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, 24 November

Nepal vs Bangladesh, 24 November

India vs South Africa, 24 November

Pakistan vs India, 25 November

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 25 November

Nepal vs Afghanistan, 25 November

South Africa vs Nepal, 26 November

Pakistan vs Bangladesh, 26 November

India vs Afghanistan, 26 November

South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 27 November

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, 27 November

Pakistan vs Nepal, 27 November

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 29 November

India vs Nepal, 29 November

Afghanistan vs South Africa, 29 November

Pakistan vs Afghanistan, 30 November

South Africa vs Bangladesh, 30 November

India vs Sri Lanka, 30 November

Q1 vs Q4, 01 December

Q2 vs Q3, 01 December

Final, 03 December

READ: England announce central contract list for 2024-25

MELBOURNE: The first contingent of the Pakistan white-ball squad carried out an extensive training session here on Thursday for the first ODI against Australia, scheduled to be played on 4 November at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The first group, which includes Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, and Faisal Akram, arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday and participated in the rigorous practice of batting, bowling, and fielding today.

Meanwhile, the second group included white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan, his deputy Salman Ali Agha, alongside Abdullah Shafique, Aamir Jamal, Saim Ayub, Kamran Ghulam, Haseebullah and Arafat Minhas.

They arrived in Australia on Wednesday evening and rested on Thursday. The entire Pakistan squad will train together at the MCG on Friday.

The Australia tour will run from 4-18 November, followed by a white-ball series in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, which will be played from 24 November to 5 December.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squads for the tours to Australia and Zimbabwe on Sunday.

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The cricket board also appointed wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan as the captain for Pakistan’s white-ball team ahead of the upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe.

Key players like Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who were rested from the last two Tests against England, retained their place in the white-ball squads for the Australia matches but will be rested for the Zimbabwe tour.

Similarly, Mohammad Rizwan will be available for the Australia tour and Zimbabwe ODIs but will be rested from the Zimbabwe T20Is.

All-rounder Salman Ali Agha, who has been appointed as the vice-captain, will lead the team in Rizwan’s absence during the T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Pakistan Squad for Australia Tour

ODI SQUAD: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (vc) and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

T20I SQUAD: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan.

READ: Ben Stokes’ house in England ‘burgled’ amid his tour to Pakistan