Author: Shahid Hashmi

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalized two new teams for the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), sources said on Wednesday.

According to the sources, the two new teams will reportedly be named Gilgit and Faisalabad.

A few days earlier, PCB had shortlisted six cities for the two new teams, which included Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, Faisalabad, Gilgit, and Rawalpindi.

The development came alongside the PCB’s completion of the long-awaited independent valuation process for all existing PSL franchises and key commercial assets.

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Meanwhile, PSL management issues with Multan Sultans remain unresolved. Sources privy to the matter further reveal that Sultan’s franchise ownership is also likely to be put up for bid to find new owners.

The tender process for the sale of the new franchises is expected to begin soon, adding momentum to what is poised to be one of the most significant structural upgrades in the league’s history.

The confirmation aligns with what PSL CEO Salman Naseer stated earlier in October during a press conference at the National Bank Stadium, where he revealed that an auction would be held for the two new teams.

“An auction will be held for two new PSL franchises, and bidding parties will be given a pool of city names from which they can select,” he said.

He also credited all franchises for playing a vital role in strengthening the PSL brand, noting that the league has survived “testing circumstances, including times of political and regional instability.”

“I think from our side, as management and even the other stakeholders, including franchises, everyone wants to expand our footprint beyond these four cities,” he said.

“Peshawar Stadium’s lease matters are being worked out, and both venues are part of our long-term planning.”

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LAHORE: Former captain Azhar Ali has resigned from his positions within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), stepping down both as a member of the national men’s selection committee and as the Head of Youth Development, sources confirmed on Tuesday.

He had joined the national selection committee in October 2024 alongside former ICC elite umpire Aleem Dar and ex-Test pacer Aqib Javed. The trio joined Asad Shafiq, who was already serving on the panel.

Their arrival came at a turbulent time for Pakistani cricket, following the innings defeat in the Multan Test against England.

The revamped panel quickly made headlines when it opted for bold changes, dropping star batter Babar Azam and premier pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah from the remaining two Tests of the series.

The move sparked widespread debate but ultimately proved decisive as Pakistan bounced back to seal an impressive 2-1 series win.

A month later, in November 2024, the PCB appointed Azhar as the Head of Youth Development following a formal recruitment process.

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The role placed him at the heart of Pakistan cricket’s future planning: overseeing grassroots structures, designing long-term development pathways and shaping talent progression from junior to elite levels.

Azhar’s exit from both roles comes as a surprise, given the board’s emphasis on strengthening its development framework. The PCB has not yet issued an official statement regarding his resignation or the reasons behind it.

A respected figure in Pakistan cricket, Azhar Ali enjoyed a distinguished international career from 2010 to 2022, earning 97 Test and 53 ODI caps.

He captained Pakistan in nine Tests and 31 ODIs and played a central role in the country’s historic ICC Champions Trophy triumph in 2017.

Statistically, Azhar stands among Pakistan’s modern greats. With 7,097 runs in 96 Test matches at an average of 42.49, he is the nation’s fifth-highest Test run-scorer.

He is standing only behind Younis Khan, Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf. His career included 19 centuries and 34 half-centuries, beginning with a maiden Test fifty just two matches after debuting at Lord’s in 2010.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially parted ways with Muhammad Wasim, bringing an end to his tenure as head coach of the Women’s team following a disappointing World Cup 2025 campaign.

The development was confirmed by the board on Monday through an official press release, stating that the search for a new head coach is already underway.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the completion of Mohammad Wasim’s tenure as Head Coach of the Pakistan National Women’s Cricket Team,” the statement read.

“The process to appoint a new head coach is currently underway, and the announcement regarding his successor will be made in due course,” it added.

Wasim’s departure comes on the back of a winless World Cup run, where Pakistan finished at the bottom of the points table.

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The team lost four of their seven matches, while three fixtures were washed out due to rain.

Following the team’s early exit, speculation had been rife that the PCB was considering changes in the coaching setup to revamp the women’s cricket structure ahead of future assignments.

In its statement, the PCB reiterated its long-term commitment to developing the women’s game in the country.

“The PCB remains committed to strengthening women’s cricket in Pakistan and ensuring the team receives the best possible support to achieve continued success on the international stage,” the board said.

Notably, Muhammad Wasim was appointed as the women’s team head coach ahead of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup in June 2024.

READ: Babar Azam on verge of surpassing Virat Kohli’s record in South Africa ODIs

FAISALABAD: Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has expressed his pride in being appointed as the ODI captain of Pakistan ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, which is set to begin on Tuesday at the Iqbal Stadium.

The 25-year-old pacer replaced wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan as the ODI captain last month.

Speaking at a pre-series press conference, Shaheen called it an “honour and responsibility” to lead the national side, emphasising teamwork and respect for the management’s decisions.

“It’s an honour to represent Pakistan as captain,” Shaheen said. “Wearing the national colours is always special, and with this new role comes added responsibility.”

The left-arm pacer noted that Pakistan carried good momentum from the T20I series and were fully focused on maintaining their form.

“The boys are in good rhythm after a strong T20 series. Our focus now is to carry that energy into one-day cricket and improve in the areas that matter,” he added.

When questioned about leadership changes and his earlier stint as T20I captain, Shaheen responded calmly, reaffirming his commitment to Pakistan cricket above all else.

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“Our job is to play cricket and serve Pakistan in whatever role we’re given,” he stated.

“Leadership decisions rest with the board and management, and we respect that. My only focus right now is on performing well and helping the team grow in ODIs.”

The star pacer also threw his full backing behind former captain Babar Azam, who recently returned to form in the T20I series.

“Every player goes through ups and downs. Babar’s class is never in doubt,” Shaheen said.

“Just because he doesn’t perform in a couple of matches doesn’t make him a bad player. For the last four or five years, he’s been our most consistent performer and the highest run-scorer in both T20Is and ODIs.”

“Whenever our senior players contribute, the team ends up winning. Babar’s return to form is a huge boost for us.”

READ: Harmanpreet Kaur imitates Lionel Messi after Women’s World Cup victory

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced Test skipper Shan Masood as the Consultant for International Cricket and Players’ Affairs.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi made the announcement during a dinner at the Prime Minister’s house.

The decision came after the board had advertised for the Director of International Cricket Operations following Usman Wahla’s stepping down from the role.

Usman Wahla was appointed as the Director in May 2023 after Zakir Khan, whose contract expired on April 3, 2023.

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As per the PCB’s advertisement, the director’s role involves numerous responsibilities, including planning and organizing international cricket events and preparing and finalizing MOUs for home and overseas tours of Pakistan’s national, Shaheens, U-19, U-16, and emerging teams.

“The role also involves preparing for ICC meetings on cricket-related matters and developing logistics and tournament budgets. The director will oversee negotiations, contract execution, and itinerary planning for FTP tours and all formats of matches,” the advertisement read.

Till now, Shan Masood has played 44 Tests, 9 ODIs, and 19 T20Is for Pakistan, having made his international debut against South Africa in 2013.

Overall, he has captained Pakistan in 14 matches so far, winning only four and losing 10. His most recent stint as skipper came against South Africa, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

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The deadlock between India and Pakistan over the Asia Cup 2025 Trophy continued on Wednesday, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to accept the silverware from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi.

According to reports, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has written a letter to the ACC, requesting that the Trophy be handed over directly to India.

“If the trophy is not received, the matter will be raised with the ICC,” Saikia told reporters.

Meanwhile, ACC has offered BCCI to receive the trophy at a formal ceremony in Dubai on November 10.

For the unversed, the standoff for the trophy arose from India’s decision not to collect their winners’ medals and trophy following their triumph in the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan on September 29 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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The controversy reportedly began after members of the Indian team declined to accept the silverware from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman.

Despite India’s stance, the ACC has maintained its position, with sources suggesting that President Naqvi is unwilling to make any exceptions or alter standard presentation protocols.

India had defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final, chasing down a 147-run target in 19.4 overs after bowling out the Men in Green for 146 runs in 19.1 overs.

The continental tournament was shrouded in controversy from the start, beginning with India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav’s decision not to shake hands with Pakistan in their first encounter.

On the contrary, Pakistan also threatened to boycott the tournament at one stage. The situation persisted and continued after the summit clash.

READ: Pakistan to face India on THIS date in ICC T20 World Cup 2026

The tentative date and venue for the clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India in next year’s ICC T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India,  has been revealed.

According to sources, both teams are slated to face off each other on February 8 in Colombo.

Moreover, the match could also mark the start of the mega event, which is expected to run from February 7 to March 8.

As per the reports, ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches will be held across at least five venues in India and two in Sri Lanka.

The final will be held in Ahmedabad or Colombo, depending on Pakistan’s advancement through to the pinnacle clash— due to the hybrid model.

Meanwhile, the full lineup for the 2026 edition has been completed with 20 teams competing for the trophy.

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Alongside the two hosts, automatic qualification was granted to the top seven sides from the 2024 T20 World Cup: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the United States, and West Indies, as well as Pakistan, New Zealand, and Ireland, who progressed based on ICC rankings.

From the regional qualifiers, Canada secured the Americas spot, while the Netherlands and Italy emerged from Europe, the latter marking their maiden appearance at a T20 World Cup.

Namibia and Zimbabwe claimed the two available spots from Africa, while Nepal, Oman, and the UAE completed the Asian contingent.

The 2026 tournament will retain the same format as the previous edition, with 20 teams divided into four groups of five. The top two from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, followed by semi-finals and the final.

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LAHORE: Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed as Pakisan new ODI captain, replacing wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan following a leadership review by team management.

Shaheen will captain Pakistan in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, set to begin on November 4.

The decision to appoint Shaheen Shah Afridi was taken at a meeting held in Islamabad. The meeting was attended by head coach Mike Hesson, director of high performance Aqib Javed and members of the selection committee.

The move also came following Pakistan’s string of disappointing ODI performances this year.

The Men in Green failed to advance beyond the first round of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, before suffering a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand and a 2-1 series defeat to the West Indies.

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Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi has enjoyed remarkable success as captain of the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), leading them to three title wins.

Interestingly, this would not be Shaheen’s first stint as national captain. He previously led Pakistan in the T20I format but was replaced after just one series.

During Shaheen Afridi captaincy in January 2024, Pakistan lost five-match series 4-1 against Zealand.

The defeat resulted in captaincy change as he was replaced in the role by star batter Babar Azam, who led the side until the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 played in USA and West Indies.

Mohammad Rizwan, who was appointed Pakistan white-ball captain on October 27, 2024, delivered some impressive results during his breif tenure, including memorable ODI series wins in Australia and South Africa.

However, his tenure in the T20I format ended soon after Men in Green lost all four T20Is under his leadership.

Overall, Rizwan captained Pakistan in 20 ODIs, winning nine and losing 11, finishing with a winning percentage of 45.

READ: Confident Rameen targets semi-final berth despite odds against Pakistan

Former Pakistan Test cricketer Wazir Mohammad passed away at the age of 95 in Solihull, Birmingham, earlier this Morning.

The deceased was the elder Brother of Hanif Mohammad, also known as the little master.

Wazir played 20 Tests for Pakistan and scored 801 runs with the help of two centuries and three half-centuries.

Born on December 22, 1929, Wazir was also the third-oldest living men’s Test cricketer after Australia’s Neil Harvey and New Zealand’s Trevor MacMahon.

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Notably, he remained a vital part of Pakistan’s initial journey in the cricketing world during the 1950s and 60s.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, expressed profound grief over the passing of cricketing legend and expressed his heartfelt condolences.

“Wazir Mohammad was a good batsman and a very sophisticated person. May Allah Almighty rest the soul of the deceased in peace and grant patience to the bereaved family. Amen,” he said.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended USA Cricket (USAC) on Tuesday in a bid to overhaul its leadership and governance structures, aiming to protect players and keep cricket’s Olympic plan on track

The decision was made by the ICC Board following a virtual meeting on Tuesday.

“The suspension is an unfortunate but necessary step to protect the long-term interests of the game,” the ICC said following the suspension.

Despite the suspension, USA will participate in the T20 World Cup co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, which is set to begin in February next year.

The exact reason for the suspension has not yet been confirmed, but it follows a decision made by the ICC at its annual general meeting in July. At that meeting, the ICC granted USAC three months to conduct “free and fair elections” and implement “comprehensive” governance reforms.

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Moreover, the suspension does not have an immediate impact on cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

To maintain continuity, the ICC and its representatives will take temporary control of the management of the USA’s national teams, concentrating on high-performance initiatives and player development.

A Normalization Committee, with the support of ICC management, will outline the reforms required for the restoration of USA Cricket’s membership.

This will include changes to governance, operations, and structure, and the committee will also oversee and support the transition process.

READ: Shaheen becomes Pakistan’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is