Author: shahzad.malik

LAHORE: ICC Chairman Greg Barclay and Chief Executive Geoff Allardice arrived in Lahore on Tuesday morning on a two-day visit to meet the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) top officials. 

International Cricket Council’s high-ups were received by the Chair of the PCB Management Committee Mr Najam Sethi (also an ICC Director) when they reached the board’s headquarters at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Barrister Salman Naseer and other board officials were also present on the occasion.

The visit is believed to be of enormous importance since it came at a time when the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) were at odds over the fate of the 2023 Asia Cup.

According to the sources, PCB will discuss the issues related to Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, scheduled in India later this year, with ICC Chairman and CEO in a high-stake meeting.

Matters pertaining to Pakistan’s hosting of the Asia Cup 2023 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will also be discussed.

It is pertinent to mention here that it is the first time Mr Barclay, ICC Chairman, has visited the country. However, Mr Allardice has regularly visited Pakistan, first as ICC General Manager – Cricket and then as ICC Chief Executive.

Mr Barclay is also 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 that both the top two ICC officials together visited the Pakistan cricket headquarters.

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LAHORE: Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris has been included in Pakistan’s squad, which now consists of 17 players, for the five-match PAK vs NZ series, scheduled to commence on April 26 at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

He has played four ODIs and eight T20 Internationals before today’s fifth and final T20I at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

The ODI series between the two teams commence in Rawalpindi as the Pindi Cricket Stadium hosts the first two matches on 27 and 29 April. The action will then move to Karachi as the National Bank Stadium will stage the final three matches.

Pakistan squad:

Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir

ODI Series schedule:

27 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
29 Apr – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi
5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi
7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi

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ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur reached Islamabad on Tuesday to spend time with the national men’s side ahead of his formal appointment as the team’s consultant director.

Arthur will stay with the Green Shirts, who are currently engaged in five-game T20 series against New Zealand, till April 20 before departing England, where he serves as head coach of Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

During his stay, the former head coach will meet the national team in Islamabad and discuss plans with captain Babar Azam and other players.

Pakistan will play the last two T20Is against New Zealand in Rawalpindi on April 20 and 24.

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi while addressing a press conference last month hinted at the possible return of Arthur, saying the decision regarding his appointment would be made soon.

“If there was any sort of compulsion to take Mickey on board then we would have done that already. It is getting delayed because I’m listening to your voices and conveying it to Mickey that our media is raising questions and you should answer them,” Sethi had told the journalists.

“How will you do it? How many times will you come here? How will you manage long distances? Who will be the head coach? Is he competent enough, for you’re nominating to be the head coach? Can’t we find a better option? All these discussions are underway and are in the final stages,” he added.

“So, the thing is that the decision will be made soon. Mickey and I are in the final stages just like I said last time. I’m not getting answers to my questions, similar to what you are asking me.

“So, he’s answering and we’re analyzing the situation. So, let’s see,” Sethi concluded.

It is worth mentioning that Arthur coached the national men’s side between 2016 and 2019. During his tenure, Pakistan won their last major ICC title – Champions Trophy 2017 – and also rose to the top spot in the T20I rankings.

The South African coach was then removed from the position following Pakistan’s fifth-place finish in the Cricket World Cup 2019.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical board on Monday, deemed wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan fit for the third PAK vs NZ T20I of the five-match series.

Watch PAK vs NZ T20I Live Match at ARY ZAP

Rizwan, who played an anchoring 50-run knock in Pakistan’s dominating triumph over New Zealand in the second T20I, walked off the field in the second innings due to a back injury.

He did not keep wickets in the second innings of the aforementioned fixture and Mohammad Haris replaced him for the rest of the match.

Meanwhile, the PCB medical board has cleared the air on Rizwan’s fitness and confirmed that the wicketkeeper batter is available for selection for tonight’s fixture.

It is pertinent to mention that New Zealand have opted to bat first in the third T20I of the series, led by Pakistan 2-0.

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LAHORE: Pakistan captain Babar Azam opened up regarding the future of the long-persisted opening pair of him and Mohammad Rizwan, stated that he is not willing to make experiments despite the availability of young top-order batters.

In a pre-series press conference here on Thursday, Babar responded to a question about whether Pakistan will try a new opening pair in the T20I series against New Zealand and shared that there is no such plan to make experiments and the opening pair of him and Rizwan will continue to open the innings for Pakistan in the shortest format.

“There is no such thing that we are going to make experiments. We will continue with my and Rizwan’s opening pair and we will analyze which player is suitable for which particular position and then announce the Playing XI after this practice session,” said Babar.

Pakistan’s captain also commented on Pakistan’s bowling attack and stated that the inclusion of young pacers Ihsanullah and Zaman Khan has further strengthened the attack and shared that the planning is underway to fully utilize the young speedsters.

“Look, the way these two youngsters [Ihsanullah and Zaman Khan] performed in PSL and after that against Afghanistan was outstanding and they got a call-up on the basis of that and because of that our bowling strength bolstered even more,” stated Babar.

“Definitely, we are planning to utilize and establish them because, I said earlier, that we need to test our bench strength and give chances to the youngsters to analyze how we can improve further,” he maintained.

Babar then went on to assert that the national team has the ability to clean sweep the inexperienced New Zealand side, banking on the services of senior and junior players.

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LAHORE: The trophy for the PAK vs NZ T20I series has been unveiled on Thursday here at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium.

The glittering trophy was revealed by Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam and his New Zealand counterpart Tom Latham as both the captains posed with the trophy.

Watch Live PAK vs NZ T20i in HD Streaming at ARY ZAP

Earlier, both teams were brought to the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore under tight security to partake in the three-hour-long final training session.

According to the details, players from both squads engaged in rigorous batting, fielding and bowling drills to give the final touches to their preparations.

New Zealand tour of Pakistan is comprised of five-match each T20I and ODI series, scheduled to be played in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.

Lahore will host the first three PAK vs NZ T20Is, Rawalpindi will host the remaining two T20Is and as many ODIs whereas Karachi to host the last three ODIs.

PAK vs NZ Series schedule:

14 Apr – 1st T20I, Lahore
15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Lahore
17 Apr – 3rd T20I, Lahore
20 Apr – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi
24 Apr – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi
27 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
29 Apr – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi
5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi
7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi

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LAHORE: Preparations for the upcoming PAK vs NZ T20I series have entered the final stages at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium Lahore (GSL) here.

With Pakistan’s home white-ball season about to kick off with a five-match T20I and ODI series against New Zealand, the preparations are in full swing at the iconic GSL which will host the first three T20Is of the five-match series.

According to the details, the ground staff is working on the outfield, enclosures, stadium building and most importantly on the pitch.

The international and local broadcasting crew has also raced their preparations and have begun installation at the stadium.

Digital boundaries are also being installed whereas large posters of cricketers are also being posted across the stadium.

It is pertinent to mention that the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore will host the first three PAK vs NZ T20Is, scheduled on April 14, 15 and 17.

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LAHORE: Former South African opener and newly-appointed batting coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, Andrew Puttick has joined the ongoing training camp for the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand.

According to the details, Puttick, who was named in the fresh management, named by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) earlier this month.

As per the newly-appointed team management, Grant Bradburn will serve as the head coach and will take up the reins from assistant coach Abdul Rehman, who will fill up the role until the former’s arrival.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul, who was named as the bowling coach in the team’s coaching setup for the recently-held Afghanistan series will continue his new role with the national team.

According to the details, a few changes are expected in the recently-announced management following the arrival of Mickey Arthur.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also confirmed that Bradburn and Puttick have been appointed for the New Zealand tour of Pakistan.

The PCB will confirm the Pakistan team management for the post-New Zealand series following the completion of the relevant recruitment processes, which are presently ongoing.

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LAHORE: The tickets for the fourth and fifth T20 Internationals and the five One-Day Internationals between Pakistan and New Zealand will be available online from 11 April, announced Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it had once again set affordable prices so the cricket lovers in Rawalpindi and Karachi can watch their stars in action.

Tickets for the last two PAK vs NZ T20Is at Rawalpindi are priced at PKR500 for Premium enclosures (Miran Bakhsh, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat) and at PKR1,000 for VIP enclosures (Imran Khan, Javed Akhtar, Azhar Mehmood and Javed Miandad).

The third-floor gallery for the two matches on 20 and 24 April is available at PKR3,500.

Watch New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Match in HD Streaming only at ARY ZAP

The tickets for the first two PAK vs NZ ODIs on 27 and 29 April at the Pindi Cricket Stadium will be available for PKR300 (Premium enclosure), PKR500 (VIP enclosure) and PKR3,000 (third floor gallery).

Fans can buy tickets in Karachi in the range of PKR250 to PKR1,000.

General enclosure (Iqbal Qasim, Nasimul Ghani, Wasim Bari, Mohammad Brothers and Intikhar Alam) tickets are available for PKR250.

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Fans will have to pay PKR500 for a seat in First class enclosure (Asif Iqbal, Waqar Hasan, Zaheer Abbas and Majid Khan).

A seat in Premium enclosure (Quaid, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan) is available for PKR750 and VIP enclosure (Hanif Mohammad, Javed Miandad and Fazal Mahmood) is priced at PKR1,000)

The final three ODIs will be played on 3, 5 and 7 May at the National Stadium.

LAHORE: Young pacer Zaman Khan has named Lasith Malinga as his bowling inspiration, saying he has been watching the Sri Lankan legend since childhood and has learned a lot from the fierce speedster.

Zaman, who has an unorthodox sling bowling style like Malinga, said he had been watching the Sri Lankan bowler since he was very young and observed his bowling action very closely.

“I used to watch Lastith Malinga, because my action is similar to his, and I have learned a lot by observing him,” he said in a media talk at Gaddafi Stadium after the team’s training camp on Sunday.

“I grew up watching Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar and always had this wish to represent my country like them, which has come true now.”

“My aim is to perform well for Pakistan for as long as I play and make the country proud. Whenever I get the opportunity, I will try to give my 100 per cent and win the match for Pakistan,” he added.

Zaman shot to fame because of his economical bowling in crunch moments of the game and became a final-over specialist for champions Lahore Qalanadats in the Pakistan Super League season 8, that too in the presence of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi.

“It takes a lot of hard work and net practice to bowl the final over (in the match)” he added.

Moreover, he expressed his gratitude towards Qalandars’ captain Shaheen, saying, “He has been guiding me on everything and since I came under his wings, I have learned a lot.”.

For the forthcoming home assignment against New Zealand, the 21-year-old has been retained in Pakistan’s T20I squad from the Afghanistan series in Sharjah, his maiden call-up to the national side.

It may be noted here that Pakistan will take on the visitors in five T20Is and as many ODIs across three venues from 14 April to 7 May.

SQUADS:

T20I: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Zaman Khan.

ODI: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir.

Complete Pakistan v New Zealand schedule:

14 Apr – 1^st T20I, Lahore
15 Apr – 2^nd T20I, Lahore
17 Apr – 3^rd T20I, Lahore
20 Apr – 4^th T20I, Rawalpindi
24 Apr – 5^th T20I, Rawalpindi
26 Apr – 1^st ODI, Rawalpindi
30 Apr – 2^nd ODI, Rawalpindi
3 May – 3^rd ODI, Karachi
5 May – 4^th ODI, Karachi
7 May – 5^th ODI, Karachi

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