Author: shahzad.malik

LAHORE: Pakistan’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, Mohammad Haris, has shared his thoughts after not being selected in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 draft, held on Thursday in Melbourne.

Despite being among the 74 Pakistani players registered for the BBL 15 draft, Haris was not picked by any of the eight franchises.

The BBL 15 Draft saw six of the eight franchises show interest in Pakistan’s top players, with five national stars eventually earning contracts.

Meanwhile, star batter Babar Azam was pre-signed by the Sydney Sixers ahead of the BBL 15 draft.

Speaking to the media during the ongoing skills development camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, Haris maintained a composed stance over the snub.

“The Big Bash League (BBL) is a prestigious tournament, and I wish the best to all the players participating,” Mohammad Haris said.

“But at the moment, my priority is national duty. These league opportunities come and go, and I’ll consider them only when I’m fully available and ready.”

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The 24-year-old remains part of the PCB’s current training camp aimed at addressing technical and tactical shortcomings across formats. He credited the camp for helping players recalibrate their game and focus on finer details.

“This camp is crucial for us because we’re working on the errors that the coaches identified. Today’s scenario match is part of that process—to iron out those mistakes in a match-like environment,” he explained.

Known for his aggressive batting style, Haris stressed the importance of evolving as a complete batter, especially in the modern game.

“I’ve always been known for my boundary-hitting, but now I’m focusing more on strike rotation because consistency is just as crucial,” he said.

“I’m also working hard to improve my defensive game, which is essential for all formats.”

He also highlighted his growing interest in red-ball cricket and a desire to break into Pakistan’s Test setup.

“I’ve enjoyed playing red-ball cricket in the domestic circuit, and now I’m determined to perform well enough to earn a place in the national Test squad,” he added.

READ: Mohammad Haris eyes red-ball spot, focused on fixing flaws

LAHORE: Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Haris has emphasised the importance of the ongoing Skills Development Camp, calling it a timely opportunity to rectify technical flaws noted by the national coaching staff.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a scenario-based training match at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Haris said the camp was designed to help players address mistakes highlighted by the coaches.

“This camp is crucial for us because we’re working on the errors that the coaches identified. Today’s scenario match is part of that process—to iron out those mistakes in a match-like environment,” he explained.

While Mohammad Haris refrained from commenting on the upcoming tours of Bangladesh and the West Indies, he hoped those discussions would take place during the next phase of the camp.

“We haven’t talked much about the Bangladesh or West Indies tours yet, but I’m hopeful those conversations will happen in the next camp,” he added.

The young batter also shared that he had a useful conversation about his game with veteran Shoaib Malik, and once again made it clear that he has no aspirations to take on a leadership role.

“I have no desire to be captain. My focus is on my game,” he said firmly.

Reflecting on his role in the previous series, Haris said he was mentally prepared to bat at No. 3 and plans to continue adapting series by series, as per the team’s requirements.

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“I knew I was playing at No. 3 in the last series, but we take things one series at a time and plan accordingly,” he further stated.

Known for his aggressive style of play, Haris stressed the importance of balancing power-hitting with strike rotation.

“I always try to play with aggression, but also focus on singles and doubles. That’s a key part of modern T20 cricket,” he said.

Interestingly, Mohammad Haris also revealed his growing interest in red-ball cricket and confirmed he’s eager to develop his game in that format as well.

“I want to play red-ball cricket, and I’m working towards it. So far, I haven’t had any specific discussion with the management about red or white-ball roles,” he said.

READ: Melbourne Renegades GM hails Rizwan signing as major BBL 15 coup

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Skills Development Camp continued on day three in Lahore on Wednesday, with players actively taking part in various sessions.

The national cricketers sharpened their skills in an intense training session under the supervision of the coaches at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Players participated in both indoor and outdoor practice sessions, beginning their day with fielding and fitness drills in the morning.

Later, bowlers and batters took part in dedicated bowling and batting sessions, closely observed by the coaching staff.

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The 20-day Skills Development camp will feature 47 men’s cricketers undergoing rigorous training and fitness sessions. The first batch of 15 players will participate till 21 June.

The players attending the first phase of the camp include: Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Babar Azam, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Muqeem.

The second and third phases of the camp will begin on June 23 and June 30, respectively, with additional players expected to join. The names of the second and third batch of players will be announced in due course.

Players will engage in fitness and fielding sessions from 6:00 to 8:00 AM. Additionally, skill-based sessions (net practice) are scheduled from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM at both the LCCA Ground and NCA, taking place from Monday to Thursday.

According to the PCB officials, this initiative is part of a broader strategy to invest in long-term player development through consistent, skill-based training and proper fitness management, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s talent pool.

READ: Bangladesh stutter against Sri Lanka after Mushfiqur, Litton stand

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Skills Development Camp kicked off in Lahore on Monday, with prominent national stars including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan actively participating on day one.

The camp, being held at the LCCA Ground under the supervision of National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches, is structured in three phases.

The opening phase features 15 players and is focused on fine-tuning skills in fielding, batting, and fitness.

The first session of the day began with high-intensity fielding drills, where both Babar and Rizwan were seen leading from the front.

Batting coach Hanif Malik, alongside other NCA coaches, conducted technical batting sessions aimed at refining players’ technique and shot selection. Gym work and strength training were also part of the routine.

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According to a PCB spokesperson, the primary objective of the camp is to enhance individual skill levels and prepare players for upcoming domestic and international assignments.

The players attending the first phase include: Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Babar Azam, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Muqeem.

The afternoon session on Day 1 focused on bowling and fielding-specific drills, ensuring a comprehensive workload for the participants.

The second and third phases of the camp will begin on June 23 and June 30, respectively, with additional players expected to join.

PCB officials say this initiative is part of a broader strategy to invest in long-term player development through consistent, skill-based training and proper fitness management, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s talent pool.

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Former batting maestro Mohammad Yousuf has resigned as the batting coach of the Pakistan cricket team.

According to sources, Yousuf, who was serving as a batting coach under the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), reportedly submitted his resignation to the board.

Mohammad Yousuf was also part of the team management during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand.

He was named the batting coach of the national men’s team on 4 March ahead of the tour of New Zealand, replacing Shahid Aslam.

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It is pertinent to mention that last year, Mohammad Yousuf also resigned from the selection committee, citing “personal reasons”.

Yousuf had announced his resignation in a post on the social media platform X.

“Serving this incredible team has been a profound privilege, and I am proud to have contributed to the growth and success of Pakistan cricket,” he wrote.

“I have immense faith in the talent and spirit of our players, and wish our team all the best as they continue to strive for greatness.”

At that time, the PCB confirmed Yousuf’s resignation, stating that he wanted to focus on other key responsibilities within the cricket board.

“The PCB expresses its sincere gratitude to Mohammad Yousuf for his invaluable contributions during his tenure as a selection committee member,” the cricket board said.

For the unversed, Mohammad Yousuf was also the head coach of the Pakistan U-19 side that finished third in the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 in South Africa.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday confirmed one change to the ‘intact’ national selection committee.

The PCB spokesman said in an official statement that the Board has only replaced the data analyst, who will have no voting rights during team selection.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the national selection committee remains intact,” the board said in an official statement.

According to PCB, Data analyst Hassan Cheema has been replaced by Usman Hashmi to assist the committee.

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Apart from one change, the committee remains the same. The names include Aqib Javed, Aleem Dar, Asad Shafiq, and Azhar Ali.

It is pertinent to mention that the selection committee operates without a designated head, with all four members holding equal decision-making power.

Furthermore, the committee will consult coaches and captains of the respective teams before squad finalisation.

For the unversed, the announcement came in response to recent media reports that indicated a major overhaul of the selection committee, which suggested the potential removal of former Test cricketers Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq.

Earlier, the reports had indicated their possible replacement with former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and cricket analyst Sikandar Bakht.

National Selection Committee Members:

– Aqib Javed (Member)

– Aleem Dar (Member)

– Asad Shafiq (Member)

– Azhar Ali (Member)

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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has extended heartfelt congratulations to Arshad Nadeem after he clinched gold in the javelin final at the Asian Athletics Championship in Gumi, South Korea.

Arshad Nadeem, while competing internationally for the first time since last year’s Paris Olympics, has once again made the nation proud.

He clinched the gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championship with a stunning throw of 86.40 meters in the men’s javelin throw final.

In a statement brimming with national pride, Naqvi lauded Arshad’s achievement, calling it a moment of honour for the entire nation.

“Well done, Arshad Nadeem, well done! We are proud of you,” said Naqvi.

He also congratulated Arshad’s coach and family, acknowledging the role they played behind the scenes.

“Arshad is a true son of the soil, and once again, he has made every Pakistani hold their head high with pride,” Mohsin Naqvi added.

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The Olympic champion started off with throws of 75.64m and 76.80m in his first two attempts, gradually building momentum before hitting his peak in the final round.

Meanwhile, the PCB Chairman highlighted the immense joy his victory has brought to the people of Pakistan.

“This victory is a result of sheer hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment,” said Naqvi.

He went on to say that the entire nation is overjoyed by this historic feat and proud of Arshad, one of Pakistan’s most gifted athletes.

“Arshad has truly won hearts by making Pakistan’s flag fly high in South Korea,” the PCB chief stated.

Mohsin Naqvi also emphasised the significance of defeating top athletes from countries like India to win the championship.

“Beating athletes from India and other nations and winning the title is a massive honour for Pakistan,” he said.

READ: Arshad Nadeem wins gold at Asian Athletics Championship with 86.40m throw

LAHORE: Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Thursday, met spinner Sadia Iqbal after she became the number one bowler in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings.

Sadia, 29, recently climbed to the top of the ICC rankings, dethroning England’s Sophie Ecclestone, who was benched during her team’s recent T20I series against the West Indies.

Her meteoric rise is the result of consistent performances, most notably in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2025 held in Lahore, where she played a vital role in Pakistan’s unbeaten campaign.

She bagged nine wickets at an impressive average of 16 and was deservedly named in the Team of the Tournament.

During the meeting, the PCB Chairman congratulated Sadia Iqbal on her remarkable achievement, calling her rise to the top of the world rankings a proud moment for the country.

“Sadia Iqbal’s accomplishment is a matter of immense pride for Pakistan,” he said.

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“She is a star of Pakistan women’s cricket and has made the entire nation proud. This milestone is the result of her hard work and professional approach.”

Mohsin Naqvi also presented Sadia with a special “World No.1 T20I Bowler” shirt and expressed his best wishes for her continued success, particularly with the Women’s T20 World Cup around the corner.

“I hope Sadia continues this run of form into the World Cup,” he added. “She has the talent, the discipline, and the hunger to achieve even greater success in the future.”

Sadia, in return, thanked the PCB Chairman for the encouragement and vowed to maintain her performance levels.

“InshaAllah, I will continue this momentum in the World Cup as well,” she said.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed and Head of Women’s Cricket Rafia Haider were also present on the occasion.

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Pakistan’s star javelin thrower and Olympic medalist Arshad Nadeem has been honoured with the prestigious Best Asian Athlete award by the Asian Athletics Association.

The award was presented during the Association’s meeting held in South Korea.

On this occasion, the Chairman of South Asian Athletics, Major General (R) Muhammad Akram Sahi, attended the event alongside the President of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan, Brigadier (R) Wajahat Hussain Sahi.

Secretary Colonel (R) Shah Jehan and Salman Iqbal Butt were also in attendance at the ceremony.

Arshad Nadeem announced on the social media platform X that he has received the accolade.

“Today, I was honoured to receive the ‘best male athlete of Asia’ award by Asian Athletics. I am humbled and recharged to give better performances,” the caption read.

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Last year, Arshad Nadeem was awarded the second-highest civil award of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, by the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, for his ground-breaking performance in the Paris Olympics 2024.

For the unversed, Arshad Nadeem ended Pakistan’s 32-year medal drought in the Olympics and became the first-ever individual Olympic gold medalist from the country.

Before that, Pakistan last won a medal in the Olympics during the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona

In the javelin throw event, Arshad failed to make a mark in his first attempt, however, he made a remarkable recovery with 92.97m in his second attempt, a new Olympic record, which was eventually proved sufficient for him to secure the gold at the Paris Olympics.

Meanwhile, India’s Neeraj Chopra secured the silver medal with an 89.45m throw in his second attempt, while all of his other attempts were deemed as “No Throw”.

READ: WATCH: Bangladesh cricket team arrives in Pakistan for T20I series

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Saturday, unveiled the ticket prices for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

The series will begin on May 28, with the second and third matches taking place on May 30 and June 1, respectively.

All matches are scheduled to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and the first ball will be bowled at 8 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST).

Tickets will be available to fans from 25 May onwards at TCS Express Centres only.

In the first phase, tickets will be available tomorrow at TCS Express centres located at Davis Road and Gulberg, Lahore.

To encourage fans to come to the ground, affordable ticket prices have been set for the series between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The general enclosures (Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saeed Ahmed) at the Gaddafi Stadium will be available to fans at PKR 200.

The first-class enclosures (Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Abdul Qadir, Javed Miandad and Sarfaraz Nawaz) will be available at PKR 300, while the premium enclosures (Rajas and Saeed Anwar) will be available to fans at PKR 400.

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The VIP enclosures (Fazal Mahmood and Imran Khan) will be available to fans at PKR 500.

Moreover, Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas (VVIP enclosures) at the Jinnah End and Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram (VVIP enclosures) at the Iqbal End will be available to fans at PKR 2,000.

Additionally, the fans can witness action from the Gallery (hospitality) boxes at PKR 2,000.

Fans wishing to watch their cricketing stars can buy a maximum of four tickets on one CNIC card.

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