KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s chairman Ramiz Raja shared that Drop-In Pitches is a long process and it will take time.
Speaking to media at Naya Nazimabad Cricket Ground, where one of the two drop-in pitches will be installed, Ramiz said it requires proper planning and they are on it.
“Drop-In pitches is my longest dream which is now about to be fulfilled. PCB is glad to join hands with Arif Habib Group on this venture,” he said.
“It’s a long process and it will take time and proper planning. We are on it and I hope it will be done as soon as possible,” he added.
To a query about infrastructure planning before hosting Champions Trophy 2025 and Asia Cup 2022, Ramiz said it needs extensive planning.
“Hosting events like Champions Trophy and Asia Cup isn’t easy. You need to do extensive preparations and plannings,” he said.
“We have to do a lot of work for these events. We need to purchase the equipment to improve the maintenance of the grounds. Only the purchasing would require millions of rupees. So, a lot of stuff to do in the short time period,” he concluded.
READ: “School players will receive a monthly stipend,” Ramiz Raja
KARACHI: Ramiz Raja, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s chairman, shared Pathway Junior Contract Program with journalists here in a press conference on Wednesday.
“We will be selecting hundred talented young players to train them with supporting them financially. This will be done under our Pathway Junior Contract Program and players will get 30,000 PKR alongside 100% educational scholarship” Ramiz told reporters.
Ramiz also shared that the PCB is keen to introduce the ‘All Pakistan Talent Hunt Program’ soon.
While responding to a question regarding fewer matches for junior teams, Ramiz acknowledged it as a fact.
“Normally, A teams tour Pakistan in recompense, but the negative image of Pakistan prevents them from doing so. Because the development of our A-team is critical for Pakistan cricket, we include them when we discuss Pathway cricket,” he concluded.
READ: ‘No doubt, I am one man show’ Ramiz responds to critics
KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s chairman Ramiz Raja responded to his critics while accepting that he is ‘one man show’.
Speaking to media here for the first time after becoming PCB chairman, Ramiz said there is no doubt, he has everything under his control in the PCB.
“There is no doubt, I am,” Ramiz responded to critics who call him one man show.
It must be noted here that many former cricketers criticized Ramiz for being one man show following several resignations in the board after he took charge as PCB chairman.
On the other hand, Ramiz once again emphasized on investing only in cricket for betterment of game and players.
READ: “It is the best time to support Pakistan Cricket team,” Ramiz Raja
KARACHI: Ramiz Raja, Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) assured to plan easiest ways for fans to enter stadiums in the country for matches in the future.
Ramiz, while responding to the question during a presser here on Wednesday, accepted the concerns of lower crowd turn-out at National Stadium during the Pakistan vs West Indies – T20I series.
“We are aware of the emotional feelings of fans when they face difficulties to enter stadiums. And, we are looking at it seriously. As a commentator, I have gone through all the difficulties while entering the stadium so I can feel for them,” Ramiz said.
“It’s one of our concerns and we have this in our plans to resolve it. As far as tickets purchase is concerned, we know the difficulties faced by fans. We are also planning to establish on-site ticket purchasing facilities,” he shared.
The PCB chairman also shared his plan to build fans’ engagement centers at a couple of venues in the country. “We have in process for the first time in history, fans engagement centers. This idea will help fans register their complaints regarding Pakistan cricket and also to enjoy the perks and facilities as the important stakeholder of the game,” he maintained.
Meanwhile, Ramiz also requested fans to exhibit tolerance a bit as in the end, it is all about the image of Pakistan cricket.
READ: PCB calls 67th BoG meeting, new CEO will attend
KARACHI: Baluchistan’s two full-time substitute bowlers, Jalat Khan and Raza ul Hasan served as wicket-keepers after Azeem Ghumman and Umar Akmal got injured while keeping in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy’s last round match against Northern.
Azeem replaced Baluchistan’s regular wicket-keeper Bismillah Khan for the last round match. He got injured on Day 2 after which the keeping gloves were handed to part-time wicket-keeper Umar Akmal who made his comeback in First-Class cricket this year after serving a ban.
Umar managed just two overs behind the stumps as he got his thumb injured. Baluchistan then sent substitute Off Break bowler Raza. Unfortunately, he also got injured while keeping and slow left-arm bowler Jalat was sent in the ground as keeper.
On Day 4, Raza continued as the keeper from Baluchistan. Umar also didn’t bat in the second innings due to injury.
It must be noted here that Northern beat Baluchistan by an innings and 70 runs to qualify for Quaid-e-Azam Trophy’s final.
KARACHI: Players, who are participating in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) Trophy here at three venues, were seen hanging out despite Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s bio-secure environment.
Few pictures went viral on social media in which different players can be seen with different people, probably in a hotel outside of the bio-secure environment.
According to the sources, PCB has given some relaxations to players in bio-secure environment but the limit hasn’t been defined as of yet. Also, PCB didn’t give any official verdict about the viral pictures of players from a local restaurant.
However, for media, strict SoPs are followed like ‘no in-person interviews allowed due to players being in bio-secure environment, no interaction with players on the venue’. Whereas, players were seen interacting with some outsiders on one of the venues of QeA Trophy.
It must be noted here that ODI series between Pakistan and West Indies was postponed due to COVID-19 outbreak in the Windies’ camp.
KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s COO Salman Naseer admitted flaws in marketing strategy to promote Pakistan vs West Indies tour.
Speaking to media while addressing PAKvsWI – ODI series postponement matter, Salman said there is always a room for improvement.
“Yes, we lacked in marketing this tour. There is always a room for improvement and we are looking into this,” he admitted.
To a query about difficulties faced by fans to buy tickets and enter the stadium, Salman said they will plan for improvement. “I have surveyed myself and experienced what issues people were facing. Yes, it was hectic for fans to go through checking process. Also, I have heard about difficulties for fans to buy tickets online. We will plan to address this issue,” he responded.
Earlier, this correspondent talked to fans outside stadium who complaint about online tickets sale. So many of them were even unaware of online sale of the tickets.
KARACHI: Pakistan vs West Indies – ODI series has been postponed after five more COVID-19 cases were detected in touring party’s camp on Thursday.
In a joint statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the two boards agreed on postponing the ODI series till early 2022.
The decision was taken in a long online meeting between the high-ups of the two boards, considering the health, safety and availability of the players.
As many as six players, three officials of West Indies were tested COVID-19 positive. Players include Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, and Kyle Mayers. Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick, Team Physician Dr Akshai Mansingh and a non-coaching staff member were also tested positive for the widely spread virus.
West Indies team, except the COVID-19 positive members, will leave Pakistan tonight. The Green Shirts will also exit bio-secure bubble after the third T20I, currently underway here at National Stadium.
Remember, the three ODIs were part of ICC Cricket World Cup Super League. Pakistan had already won the T20I series.
KARACHI: Pakistan and West Indian teams have arrived here at National Stadium to play third and last T20I of the series.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Windies Cricket held a long online meeting after five more COVID-19 cases were detected in the touring party’s camp. Three players (Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein and Justin Greaves) alongside Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick, and Team Physician Dr Akshai Mansingh returned COVID-19 positive.
PCB gave green signal to the teams to reach National Stadium to play third T20I of the series. Meanwhile, the decision on ODI series will be announced in a press conference, scheduled in a short while here at National Stadium.
Earlier before the T20I series, three players (Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, and Kyle Mayers) alongside a non-coaching member of the team were tested COVID-19 positive.
Remember, Pakistan has already won the T20I series 2-0. Both teams are scheduled to play three ODIs on December 18, 20, 22, respectively.
KARACHI: Broadcasters and ground staff are currently working here at National Stadium and it looks like the third T20I will go on as per scheduled.
Five more COVID-19 cases in Windies camp put third T20I and ODI series against Pakistan in danger.
The two cricket boards held online meeting to discuss the future of rest of the matches here at National Stadium.
According to reports, broadcasters and ground staff got green signal to start working in the ground.
Windies Cricket had confirmed that wicketkeeper/batsman Shai Hope, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, allrounder Justin Greaves, Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick, and Team Physician Dr Akshai Mansingh returned COVID-19 positive in the latest round of testing carried out by the PCB.
Five of them have been put into isolation immediately for 10 days and will not be available for rest of the matches.
Earlier, three players; Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, and Kyle Mayers alongside a non-coaching member of the team were tested COVID-19 positive.