Author: Shahid Hashmi

Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Selection Committee on Sunday, announced a 17-member squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, which will be played from August 30 to September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Najibullah Zadran, who missed the recently concluded Pakistan Series due to a knee injury has been included in the lineup and is expected to recover from the injury prior to the start of the event. Meanwhile, Shahidullah Kamal, who had replaced him in the series, has been left out of the Asia Cup squad.

All-rounder Karim Jannat who played his only ODI in 2017, has managed to make the cut for the Asia Cup, as Azmatullah Omarzai has been ruled out of the competition due to a side strain. Omarzai was replaced by Gulbadin Naib in the third ODI against Pakistan in the recently concluded ODI series.

Mohammad Saleem Safi and Abdul Rahman, two fast bowlers, who were also part of Afghanistan’s recent home ODI series against Pakistan, have retained their spots in the lineup, however, Fareed Ahmad and Wafadar Momand have been left out of the squad for the Asia Cup.

Sharafuddin Ashraf, a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder, who last played for Afghanistan last year has also been included in the team as a reserve spinner.

Afghanistan Squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023

Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Abdul Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi and Fazal Haq Farooqi

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KABUL: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday, unveiled the commentary panel and match officials for the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan, scheduled to commence on August 22.

The seven-member commentary panel featured former Pakistan captain and renowned cricketing voice, Ramiz Raja.

Ramiz will be accompanied by his compatriot Aamer Sohail in the panel which also features Farhad Fidaee, Sri Lanka’s Farveez Maharoof, David Gower, HD Akerman and Devender Kumar.

🚨 Announcing the Announcers 🚨

Here's our commentators' lineup for the Super Cola Cup Afghanistan vs Pakistan three-match ODI series 2023, powered by Marhaba Auctions. 🏏🤩#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvPAK | #SuperColaCup | #ByaMaidanGato pic.twitter.com/oyTK7ilkfg

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 20, 2023

The ACB also announced the match officials for the first-ever bilateral ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Ranjan Madugalle will serve as a match referee for the entirety of the series while Bismillah Jan, Izat Safi, Ahmad Durrani, Nitin Menon, Peter Manuel and Sharfuddoula will officiate the matches.

https://twitter.com/ACBofficials/status/1693223110940508324

Earlier this week, Ramiz Raja was snubbed from the commentary panel of the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.

Notably, the former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja, who returned to commentary after an almost two-year hiatus during Pakistan’s two-match away Test series against Sri Lanka last month, was not named in the panel.

Soon after assuming the charge of the PCB chairman, Ramiz took a break from the commentary and remained involved in running the affairs of the cricketing body till his ouster in December 2022.

Despite his ouster, Ramiz Raja did not immediately return to the commentary role and missed the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the home series against New Zealand.

Notably, the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan will serve as an ample opportunity to prepare for the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to run from August 30 to September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

This year’s Asia Cup will kick off with host Pakistan taking on Nepal in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture while the rest of the nine matches will be played in Sri Lanka.

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CHENNAI: Pakistan hockey team sustained a big blow ahead of the clash against China in the ongoing Asian Hockey Champions Trophy as Muhammad Abdullah’s participation in the match is in doubt due to ailment.

According to the national team’s coach, Olympian Muhammad Saqlain told that Muhammad Abdullah complained of a high fever, and was subsequently admitted to a local hospital here.

However, after remaining under observation for a few hours, doctors revealed that Abdullah’s health status is improving and he will be discharged in the evening.

Pakistan’s team is yet to win a single game in the Asian Champions Trophy 2023, as they drew 3-3 against Japan yesterday.

Japan had the upper hand until the final minutes of the game, however, Pakistan’s Muhammad Khan scored an equalizing penalty stroke in the last five minutes to draw the game.

Pakistan started the match on a high with a goal in the 9th minute but only for Japan to equalize in the 13th minute. But Pakistan took the lead again, just minutes before halftime.

Japan came with renewed energy in the second half and kept creating chances until they scored one to equalize.

Japan, filled with one momentum, extended their dominance and took the lead with another goal.

Japan’s 3-2 advantage lasted until Muhammad Khan scored an equalizing penalty just minutes before the final whistle.

Pakistan’s last game also ended in a 1-1 draw against South Korea. They had the lead early on, but couldn’t hold on to it for long as South Korea scored in the 53rd minute.

This is the 7th edition of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy. Pakistan have won the tournament in 2012 and 2013, while India have won in 2011 and 2016.

The 2018 edition saw Pakistan and India jointly sharing the trophy as the final was forfeited due to persistent rain.

Defending champions South Korea won the tournament in 2021 after thumping Japan on penalties.

Green Shirts will face China, today, while their clash with arch-rivals India is scheduled on August 9.

READ: Pakistan’s squad for Hockey Asian Champions Trophy announced

Afghanistan have announced an 18-member squad for the ODI series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka, later this month.

The announcement saw 18-year-old spin sensation Noor Ahmed, make his way back into Afghanistan’s ODI team, after being excluded from the series against Bangladesh last month.

He has represented Afghanistan in three ODI matches thus far, after making his debut last year.

He had a forgettable run in the ODI series against Sri Lanka in June, where he picked up only two wickets in two ODIs at a mammoth average of 62.

However, Afghanistan have dropped left-arm spinner Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, who debuted in the ODI series against Bangladesh and uncapped leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naveed, from their contingent against Pakistan.

Most of the players, including pace duo Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand from Afghanistan’s first-ever bilateral ODI series victory have retained their spots, except for the aforementioned spinners and pace bowler Nijaat Masood.

Moreover, Left-arm pace bowler Farid Ahmad Malik, and middle-order batter Shahidullah Kamal have also been included as travelling reserves.

Afghanistan’s chief selector Asadullah Khan stated, “Our whole concentration is to prepare the team for the upcoming two big events of Asia Cup and the World Cup 2023. This three-match ODI series against Pakistan provides us with a wonderful opportunity to prepare the team for the forthcoming two events.”

He further added, “The preparations for the Pakistan series are progressing well; the players have recently performed well in the Kabul Camp, which has been supervised by ACB’s high-performance centre staff. The team will also undergo a week-long conditioning camp prior to the Pakistan series.”

The upcoming series is the first bilateral ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Prior to that, they played only four ODIs and Pakistan remained unbeaten in all.

The three-match ODI series is scheduled to be played on August 22, 24 and 26, as the first two games will take place at Hambantota, while the third game will be played at Colombo.

Afghanistan squad

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand

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DURBAN: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Zaka Ashraf invited Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah to watch Asia Cup matches in Pakistan, ARY News reported.

As per details, the PCB Management Committee chairman met the BCCI secretary Jay Shah in Durban South Africa on the sidelines of the CEC meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s annual session in Durban, South Africa and both agreed to continue meetings and strengthen the cricketing relations.

Sources claimed that BCCI Secretary accepted Ashraf’s invitation to watch Asia Cup matches in Pakistan before also extending an invitation to the PCB head for ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 in India.

Ashraf, in a bid to strengthen the cricketing ties between two neighbouring countries, also accepted the invitation.

Zaka Ashraf told the BCCI secretary that the people of Pakistan are famous for their hospitality and they know how to value their guests. This is a new beginning and the meetings will continue, he added.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), last month, accepted the hybrid model proposed by the PCB and confirmed the hosts and schedule of the Asia Cup 2023.

“We are delighted to announce that the Asia Cup 2023 will be held from 31st August to 17th September 2023 and will see the elite teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, compete in a total of 13 exciting ODI matches,” the ACC said in a statement.

The multi-national tournament will be hosted in a hybrid model with four matches being held in Pakistan, and the remaining nine matches being played in Sri Lanka despite massive opposition by the BCCI.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and joint-host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

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The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Zaka Ashraf on Saturday, spoke to the national men’s cricket team captain Babar Azam and extended well wishes ahead of their Test tour of Sri Lanka.

According to the details, the newly-appointed Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf had a telephonic conversation with Babar Azam and extended well wishes for their first World Test Championship (WTC) assignment and Asia Cup.

“Extend my best wishes to the entire team,” Ashraf told Babar. “We are hopeful that the team will triumph in the tour of Sri Lanka and the Asia Cup,” he added.

Babar Azam congratulated Zaka Ashraf on assuming the charge of PCB management committee chairman and vowed to lift the national cricket team to glory in the Asia Cup.

“Pakistan won the Asia Cup in your previous tenure and by the will of Almighty Allah, we will win it again,” said Babar Azam.

“We will leave no stone unturned to take the Pakistan team to new heights. We will take the field with great energy, Pakistan captain added.

Pakistan’s Sri Lanka Tests-bound contingent is due to depart for Sri Lanka tonight where they will play two Tests from July 16 to July 28.

It is worth mentioning Pakistan will start their tour of Sri Lanka with a two-day warm-up match, scheduled on July 10 and 11.

The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is scheduled to commence on July 16 while the second will embark on July 24.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood

Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:

9 July – Pakistan land in Colombo
11 and 12 July – Warm-up game

16-20 July – First Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium
24-28 July – Second Test at Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo.

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LAHORE: Najam Sethi, Chair of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, has thanked the Asian Cricket Council for accepting his hybrid model for the ACC Asia Cup 2023, which is now scheduled from 31 August to 17 September.

This will be the first time since 2008 that matches of a multi-nation cricket tournament will be staged in Pakistan. Fifteen years ago, Pakistan successfully delivered the six-team ACC Asia Cup 50-over tournament.

Sethi, in a video statement released by the PCB, briefly after the ACC unveiled the venues and schedule of this year’s Asia Cup, extended his gratitude to the continental council before asserting to understand the Board of Cricket Control in India’s (BCCI) position.

“I am elated that our hybrid version for the ACC Asia Cup 2023 has been accepted. This means the PCB will remain as the event host and stage matches in Pakistan with Sri Lanka as the neutral venue, which was required due to the Indian cricket team’s inability to travel to Pakistan.

“Our passionate fans would have loved to see the India cricket team in action in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years, but we understand the BCCI’s position. Like the PCB, the BCCI also requires government approval and clearance before crossing borders,” he added.

Najam Sethi further emphasized the importance of the hybrid model and claimed that it will keep the ACC united.

“In this background, the hybrid model was the best solution and that’s precisely why I advocated for it so strongly. The acceptance of the hybrid model means the event will take place as originally planned, the ACC will stay together and united, and the great game of cricket will continue to thrive and move forward in what will be interesting and exciting times for the subcontinent cricket fans in the coming 20 months,” stated Sethi.

“In the past 15 months, the PCB has delivered high-profile bilateral series as well as two immensely successful HBL Pakistan Super League events in which some of the world’s leading cricketers participated and enjoyed Pakistan’s outstanding arrangements and unprecedented hospitality. We look forward to providing similar experience to the participating sides in the ACC Asia Cup, which will be a prelude to the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February/March 2025,” he added.

The chairman of the PCB Management Committee Najam Sethi then went on to reveal that he will carry out discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket and ACC to further iron out a few minor operational and logistical details and assured that the PCB will do their best to host the event successfully.

“I now look forward to continuing our discussions and deliberations with the ACC and Sri Lanka Cricket to iron out a few minor operational and logistical details so that we can launch our event planning and preparations.

“I want to assure the ACC, its commercial partners, participating countries, and the cricket fans in Pakistan and Sri Lanka that the PCB, as event hosts, will not leave any stone unturned in the successful delivery of the event that is so very critical to the sides featuring in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in October/November in India.

“I appreciate the efforts of ACC President Jay Shah to strengthen the council so that we can collectively continue to protect each other’s interests and also provide opportunities and platforms to emerging Asian nations.”

READ: PCB’s hybrid model accepted as Asia Cup’s venues, scheduled unveiled

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) proposed hybrid model for the Asia Cup 2023 is likely to be approved by the Asian Cricket Council, with Sri Lanka opted as the neutral venue. 

According to the sources, all member boards of the ACC gave approval to the hybrid model suggested by the PCB, in which the first four matches will be played in Pakistan while the rest of the tournament will be held at a neutral venue.

The tournament will take place between September 1 and 17 and the final will only be played at a neutral venue if India is involved.

An official announcement in this regard will be made in the next few days.

The likely assent is a major breakthrough in a standstill which had engulfed the Asia Cup 2023 for a while due to a deadlock between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the hosting of the tournament.

This year’s Asia Cup is originally scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. However, the BCCI refused to send their team to Pakistan for the continental event on political grounds.

The BCCI since then made several efforts to take the hosting rights from Pakistan and to hold Asia Cup at a neutral venue.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was determined not to give away the hosting rights of the tournament and thus the chairman of the PCB management committee Najam Sethi came up with a hybrid model.

As per the PCB-proposed model, Pakistan will host the four to six group matches which will feature Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan.

However, the BCCI has refused the hybrid proposal for both events and once again demanded to shift the Asia Cup entirely from Pakistan.

Following BCCI’s reported refusal, the final decision regarding the venue of the Asia Cup was likely to be taken on the sidelines of the Indian Premier League (IPL) final. However, no development was reported on the deadlock.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) and England Cricket Board (ECB) have rubbished the reports regarding the relocation of the T20 World Cup 2024 from the West Indies ad the United States of America (USA).

The speculations arose when an Indian news outlet reported that both West Indies and the US can be stripped of the hosting rights of the T20 World Cup 2024 citing administrative uncertainty in the USA Cricket (USAC).

The report further suggested that the hosts of the 2024 and 2030 championships might switch places, with England, Ireland, and Scotland hosting the tournament in 2024 and the West Indies/US seven years later. This would give the USAC time to resolve its administrative problems.

As per the latest development, however, spokespersons from both ICC and ECB have denied the aforementioned reports and confirmed that the mega event will be held as per planned.

“There is absolutely no truth to reports that the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be moved from the West Indies and the USA,” said an ECB spokesperson.

“Since the event is organized by the ICC, their statement must be taken as binding and conclusive.”

As the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup is going to be the largest-ever congregation for an ICC event, with 20 teams and 55 matches. The ICC confirmed that the preparations for the event are in full swing and venue inspections have been completed.

“Venue inspections have recently been concluded in both host territories, and planning for the event in June 2024 is in full swing,” said the ICC spokesperson.

“The 2024 event is scheduled for June, and the only other possible location is England. If someone were to ask the ECB if they can host in 2024, the answer would be crystal clear – they can’t. So, the possibility doesn’t even arise. Just a glance at the England venue fixtures for next year will confirm this to anyone observant enough,” stated the ICC member.

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MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia on Sunday revealed the series schedule for the Pakistan men’s team Test tour to Australia later this year.

The three-game Test series begins on December 14 and runs across the next year with the final Test scheduled in the first week of January.

The opening Test will be staged in Perth between December 14 and 18 before the two sides return after Christmas with the Boxing Day Test (December 26-30) at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The tour concludes with the third Test in Sydney from January 3 to January 7, 2024.

It must be noted here that three Tests against Pakistan will be Australia’s first home series of the new World Test Championship cycle (2023-25).

Australia are the finalist of the current WTC cycle and are set to play India at the Oval, London from June 7 to 11 for Test supremacy.

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