Karachi: Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik has opened up over his exclusion from the Pakistan T20I team, revealing he is still trying to figure out the reason.
The 39-year-old Malik last played for Pakistan in T20I against England in Manchester in September 2020.
“I don’t understand why I was dropped from the team. I don’t want to drag this issue. It doesn’t matter how much your age is. You should meet the team’s criteria in terms of performance, fitness,” Malik in an interview with Cricket Pakistan.
“Most importantly, as a senior player if you keep the environment of dressing room healthy and respect your management and young players, then nothing else matters,” he added.
On the other hand, Malik is confident in playing for the national side in T20 World Cup later this year.
“I still believe that I can be useful in the T20 format. I’m not thinking that I won’t play the [T20] World Cup, I’m still hopeful about featuring in the World Cup and giving my all,” he maintained.
Category: Cricket
ICC in principle decides to move T20 World Cup from India
Karachi: The International Cricket Council (ICC), in principle, has decided to move the T20 World Cup 2021 from India to UAE, ARY Sports reported.
According to details, the format announcement will be made on June 28. ICC in its Board meeting yesterday decided to add Oman as host with UAE. Oman will host the opening matches of the mega event.
“The ICC Board has requested management focus its planning efforts for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 on the event being staged in the UAE with the possibility of including another venue in the Middle East,” ICC said in its press release.
“The Board also confirmed that the BCCI will remain the hosts of the event regardless of where the event is played.”
It must be noted that the T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in India in October-November this year but due to deteriorating COVID-19 cases, the mega event can’t be played.
Read: Pakistan to defend Champions Trophy title in 2025
Pakistan to defend Champions Trophy title in 2025
DUBAI: International Cricket Council (ICC) has reintroduced the Champions Trophy which will take place in 2025 from 2029.
In its board meeting on Tuesday, ICC decided to reintroduce the Champions Trophy based on eight teams. Pakistan will now have to defend the title. Last time, Green Shirts won the tournament by defeating India by 180 runs in the final.
Meanwhile, the ICC board has decided to increase the number of teams in 50-overs World Cups in 2027 and 2031. ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be expanded to a 20 team in 2024, 2026, 2028 and 2030.
ICC World Test Championship Finals will be hosted in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031.
The hosts for the Men’s events will be decided in September following a selection process that will get underway this month.
READ: ICC extends deadline for India to make final call on T20 World Cup
ICC extends deadline for India to make final call on T20 World Cup
DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has extended the deadline till June 28 for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to make the final call on hosting T20 World Cup in India.
According to the details, BCCI’s request to get some more time to decide on T20 World Cup was reviewed in ICC’s board meeting.
It must be noted here that COVID-19 surge in India led BCCI to think of an alternative option to host the multi-nation tournament. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the second option under consideration to host the event.
The extravaganza was scheduled to play in October-November this year in India.
READ: ‘Pakistan can definitely win T20 World Cup’ asserts Sarfaraz
Sarfaraz Ahmed, 5 others reach Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi: Quetta Gladiators’ skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has reached here on Tuesday alongside five other players, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed.
According to the details, Sarfaraz and players reached here via commercial flight. The players were tested for COVID-19 upon their arrival. They have entered a bio-secure bubble at a local hotel.
It must be noted here that Sarfaraz and other players were sent back home in Karachi after not getting visa clearance. Later on, PCB raced its efforts and arranged visa clearance for all the people who were left in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 6 is most likely to start from June 7 if the Abu Dhabi government allows Indian crew to install production set-up from June 5.
READ: WATCH: Rashid Khan sings ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’ OST
June 7, 8 or 9 – three possible dates for PSL 6’s resumption: Sources
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shared three possible schedules with franchises for the resumption of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 6.
According to the sources, June 7, 8, and 9 are under consideration to resume the event. Final will be played on June 24 as PCB is in contact with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to delay the Pakistan team’s traveling.
The cricket board has requested Abu Dhabi’s health ministry to allow the Indian crew to start installing production set-up at Sheikh Zayed Stadium from June 5. The ministry will make a decision on this matter tomorrow.
If PCB gets permission, the event can commence from June 7, otherwise, a further delay is expected. More double-headers will take place in all three possibilities.
Meanwhile, the teams have been given a green signal to start training from Wednesday. Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars will be allowed to start training tomorrow.
READ: Abu Dhabi directs Indian broadcasters to complete quarantine in Dubai
Abu Dhabi directs Indian broadcasters to complete quarantine in Dubai
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to send Indian broadcasters to Dubai after Abu Dhabi’s health ministry objected to their clearance.
According to the details, three batches of Indian crew, one at the Abu Dhabi border and two in Abu Dubai were sent back to Dubai to complete their quarantine there.
PCB is currently dealing with the matter as the Indian crew includes the main members of the broadcast team.
It must be noted here that PCB hasn’t announced the revised schedule of the event yet as they are waiting for everyone involved in the process to reach Abu Dhabi. The league was expected to resume from June 5 in Abu Dhabi.
READ: Wasim calls for support as PCB, franchises working hard to hold PSL 6 remainder
England to take on New Zealand at Lord’s tomorrow
England to start home summer against New Zealand in the first Test of a two-match series starting from tomorrow, June 2, at the Lord’s Stadium in London.
England will take field without Test regulars and multi-format players like Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jos Buttler, and Jonny Bairstow while New Zealand has the perfect opportunity to gain preparation for the WTC Final later this month.
Their aim will be to make the most of these two games to acclimatize to the conditions and get their team combination right.
Meanwhile, the cricketing world will see the new talent of English County season with Ollie Robinson and James Bracey receiving call-ups.
Young Haseeb Hameed, who made his Test debut against India in 2016, has also been called up. Sam Billings could also make his Test debut after replacing the injured Ben Foakes.
Pitch and Weather conditions
Lord’s have not hosted any international game for more than 20 months. The wicket at Lord’s is a balanced one with something in it both for batters and bowlers. The seamers should get some assistance off the wicket throughout the match, while the spinners could have an impact on Days 4 and 5. There is a huge chance of rain damaging the game due to showers forecast on Days 3, 4 and 5.
Predicted XIs
England: Dominic Sibley, Rory Burns, James Bracey(WK), Joe Root(C), Ollie Pope, Daniel Lawrence, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Jack Leach, and Olly Stone.
New Zealand: Tom Blundell, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson(C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling(WK), Darryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, and Neil Wagner.
Wasim calls for support as PCB, franchises working hard to hold PSL 6 remainder
Abu Dhabi: Karachi Kings’ president Wasim Akram opined that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises are working hard to hold season six’s remaining matches.
Former pacer wants everyone to support the stakeholders as they are working hard in compliance with Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
“I can imagine everyone is excited and are worried when it will start. Believe me, everybody is trying hard [to hold PSL 6 remainder],” he said in a video posted by himself on social platforms.
“It is difficult viewing all the SOPs due to COVID-19. People from South Africa will be quarantined for 10 days and we are here for six days, before that we spent four days in Karachi,” he added.
– Covid Life: I think it’s day 10, don’t even remember, one more day to go. #QuarantineWorkout #PSL2021 #KarachiKings… pic.twitter.com/eOXKCO10Cb
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) June 1, 2021
It must be noted that PCB is yet to reveal the schedule of PSL 6 remaining matches.
Read: Preferred locals over foreigners for PSL 6 remainder: Kings’ president
Won’t change my batting position in PSL 6 remainder: Babar Azam
Karachi: Karachi Kings’ star batsman Babar Azam has confirmed that he will bat as an opener in the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six.
The 26-year-old Babar open the innings for Kings with hard-hitter Sharjeel Khan but after the induction of Martin Guptill, who also bats at the top, there were rumors that Babar might bat at number three.
“Martin Guptill is a great addition as I have played with him in CPL. I have a great bonding with him, he is a different kind of player and when he bats, he changes the complexion of the game,” Babar said in an exclusive interview with ARY News.
“I am going to bat at my number. Sometimes you can bat at a different number for the team but here [in Abu Dhabi] I’ll open,” he added.
On the other hand, Babar is confident that Kings will retain the PSL title. “Personally, I am confident of winning the title once again, We’ll try to continue the momentum of Karachi-leg here,” he added.
It must be noted Karachi Kings currently stands at the top of the points table with six points (three wins and two losses).
Read: ‘I don’t think I should leave Karachi Kings’ says Babar Azam