Tag: ICC World Cup 2023

LAHORE: Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Zulqarnain Haider expressed his desire to play the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup in India and propel his side to glory.

Zulqarnain Haider, in an interview with a local news outlet here, shared that he wants to end his cricketing career by playing a World Cup and winning it for his country.

“As I said earlier, it is my ultimate to play at least one world cup regardless of what happens. I would work hard for it and by the will of Almighty Allah I’ll win it for the team,” said Haider.

“And after that, I will bid farewell to cricket,” he added.

The wicketkeeper batter also spoke on his competition with Pakistan’s first-choice wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, who is among runs since making his return to the national team and is currently the second-ranked T20I batter, Zulqarnain stated that anyone can get an opportunity.

“Look, all the wicketkeepers are alike so whoever performs will play in the national team. Like Mohammad Rizwan did not perform in the World Cup and got dropped for the next couple of series, some new wicketkeepers were given a chance after they performed well in the PSL but they could not perform at the international level because the pressure is different,” said Zulqarnain Haider.

“So, that’s why I believe anyone can get an opportunity at any time. If Rizwan does not perform in the Asia Cup and I managed to perform in domestic cricket and become the best wicketkeeper then it would be my right to be selected and play and I will play with all my will,” he added.

Zulqarnain Haider also provided an update regarding his fitness, notably, the wicketkeeper batter suffered a severe abdominal infection and underwent surgery, which resulted in stagnating his health and financial conditions.

It is pertinent to mention here that Zulqarnain Haider represented Pakistan in eight international matches from 2007 to 2010 before putting a controversial end to his brief career as he left the national team overnight during the Dubai tour.

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HOUSTON: Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed expressed his hope for Pakistan to win this year’s ICC Men’s World Cup in India.

Sarfaraz while addressing a private ceremony here recalled Pakistan’s last major ICC title victory – Champions Trophy 2017 – and termed it a memorable moment for all the players before expressing his hope that the green shirts will lift another trophy soon.

“Winning the Champions Trophy in 2017 was a great moment for all the players. I’m hopeful that we will be able to win another mega event in the near future,” he said.

Sarfaraz Ahmed also shared the most memorable moments of his decorated career and named the two tournaments in which he led Pakistan to the summit.

“Winning the U19 World Cup and Champions Trophy is among the most memorable moments of my career,” said Sarfaraz.

The former Pakistan captain also revealed the relationship between Pakistan and India players despite their bitter rivalry on the field.

“The relationship between India and Pakistani players has always been good. We used to play each other often in the past which improved the relationship between the players,” Sarfaraz said.

Sarfaraz Ahmed then went on to reveal his role model in cricket before naming the current inspiration for the cricketers.

“Moin Khan was my role model when I started playing cricket,” he said.

“These days MS Dhoni is an inspiration for many cricketers around the world,” he concluded.

Sarfaraz Ahmed is considered one of the most successful Pakistan captains. The Green Shirts won many accolades during his captaincy. He is the only Pakistani captain to have won two ICC trophies — the Champions Trophy and U19 World Cup.

Under his captaincy, Pakistan also won 11 consecutive T20I series and got hold of the top spot in the T20I rankings for two years.

READ: Shahid Afridi among Pakistan players roped in for Canada’s Global T20 League

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s in-form all-rounder Michael Bracewell has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 in India due to an injury.

According to the details, Michael Bracewell ruptured his right Achilles while batting for the Worcestershire Rapids in the English T20 Blast.

Bracewell will undergo surgery in the UK on Thursday before beginning a lengthy rehabilitation which will rule him out of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India this October-November.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead said it was a big blow for Bracewell and the team.

“Firstly, you always feel for the player when injury strikes and especially when it means they will have to miss a world event,” Stead said.

“Michael’s a great team man and has had a fantastic 15 months for the BLACKCAPS since his international debut.

“We’ve seen his exceptional skills in all three facets of the game and he was shaping as an important player for us at the world cup in India.

“Michael’s naturally pretty disappointed, but also pragmatic in acknowledging that injuries are a part of sport and he’s now turning his focus to his rehabilitation.”

Michael Bracewell’s injury is another massive blow to New Zealand’s World Cup preparations as the last edition’s runners-up are already without their full-time skipper Kane Williamson, who suffered a serious knee injury during the Indian Premier League.

Williamson ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee, revealed the scans. He then underwent surgery after the swelling reduced.

Williamson landed awkwardly in the opening match of the tournament between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. The injury ruled him out of the entire IPL season this year.

However, the 32-year-old’s absence would be a major blow for his national side. The right-hander has scored more than 6000 ODI runs at an average of 47.83 in 161 ODI matches.

Under his captaincy, New Zealand finished as runner-up in the last edition of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in 2019. They lost to England in the epic final that went down to Super Over with the host eventually lifting the trophy on boundary count.

READ: Shaheen Shah Afridi puts rumours of him missing Sri Lanka Tests to rest 

LAHORE: Head coach Grant Bradburn expressed his hope to guide the Pakistan national men’s cricket team to the top ranking in all formats, World Cup glory and World Test Championship (WTC) Final.

While speaking to the media on the sideline of the specialised camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Grant Bradburn revealed what he wants to achieve as the head coach of the Pakistan team.

“We want to become the No.1 side in all formats, we want to win World Cup this year and to play the next World Test Championship Final is our target,” said Bradburn.

“For this, we need to improve in every department and would have to play more matches. But it’s the task of the PCB and they are working on it,” he added.

Grant Bradburn also commented on the ongoing specialised camp and predicted its optimal outcomes before terming it as a great opportunity to improvise their skills.

“It is a great opportunity for us to prepare. The players can further improve their skills in this camp,” stated Bradburn.

“It is a specialised camp for the spinners so it would be our prime goal to bring talented spinners to the limelight. It would also benefit the batters as they will be able to play against spinners.

“We are going to make many experiences in this camp,” Bradburn added.

Head coach Grant Bradburn further opined regarding Abid Ali’s participation in the ongoing camp and is confident for the latter’s comeback.

“Abid Ali is a good cricketer. He has a decent Test average,” said Bradburn. “He is looking fit and can make a comeback,” Bradburn added.

Bradburn then went on to respond to a query regarding leg-spinner Yasir Shah and confirmed that he is still part of the plan and can also make a comeback.

“Yasir Shah is definitely part of the plan. We will not leave out any of our players and will try to give everyone the opportunity. So yeah, every player can return,” he concluded.

READ: Shaheen Shah Afridi steals the show in T20 Blast

KARACHI: Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz said Pakistan should play the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India as the uncertainty over the team playing the mega event in the neighbouring country looms large.

Punjab’s Sports Minister Wahab Riaz shared his views about Pakistan’s participation as the world champion in the ARY News sports show Bouncer. The left-arm bowler said Pakistan should follow its saying that “politics should be separate from sports”.

The provincial minister said that Indian cricketers are friendly towards their Pakistani counterparts but can’t tour the country as they cannot go against the government’s decision.

Moreover, the cricketer added that India should have toured Pakistan for the Asia Cup. He said Green Shirts should participate in the World Cup under any situation.

He also said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does what it wants as it is the most influential cricket board.

Wahab Riaz, speaking about himself, said he does not only want to play in the World Cup but also to play more for the country. He added he is trying to make a comeback for the national team, but it might be too late for him. 

The cricketer said the team is performing well. The pacer added the team’s bowling unit is good, but there is a shortage of bowlers who can bowl their 10 overs.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan’s last tour of India was in 2012-2013 when the two sides bilateral series for the last time. 

Since then, the two sides have only met in ICC and regional tournaments.

Speaking to the media in Lahore on Monday, Wahab Riaz requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to let him practise at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), albeit he is not invited to the specialised camps.

Wahab Riaz further said it was the board’s own choice not to call him for the specialised camps for the bowlers, starting later this month at the NCA.

“It is their (PCB’s) choice if they did not invite me to bowlers’ camps,” he told reporters while attending the Torch Lighting ceremony for the DC Lahore Young Games 2023.

On Friday, PCB called up 13 spinners and 11 fast bowlers for the two camps that will run from 10 till 15 June (for spinners) and 16 till 21 June (for fast bowlers).

“I will continue my bowling practice at the NCA,” added Wahab Riaz, besides requesting the PCB to allow him to use the facility for the purpose.

 

READ: ‘We found so much love,’ Virender Sehwag lauds Pakistan’s hospitality

HARARE: Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) on Friday, unveiled a strong 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, scheduled to take place from June 18 to July 9.

The hosts have opted to name a side full of experienced internationals, with wicketkeeper-batter Joylord Gumbie being the only uncapped member in the squad.

They will have all the big names available at their disposal in their bid to qualify for the tournament later in the year in India, with Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Sean Williams and skipper Craig Ervine all selected.

Quicks Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava will lead the pace attack for the hosts and will be complemented by Wellington Masakadza.

Other regulars like Bradley Evans, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe and Innocent Kaia are also included in the 15-member squad.

Notably, ZC arranged a six-match One-Day series against Pakistan Shaheens last month to help Zimbabwe fine-tune for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 that will be staged across four venues in Harare and Bulawayo.

In a bid to prepare for the upcoming qualifiers, ZC retained almost all players who were part of the Zimbabwe squad that faced the Netherlands in March, for the 50-over series against Pakistan Shaheens.

The hosts made the most of their home conditions and benefitted from the experience of their first-choice players to seal the six-match series 4-2 against Pakistan Shaheens.

The hosts have been included in Group A and will open up their tournament against Nepal on June 18. They will then face off against the Netherlands and West Indies before ending their group-stage commitments against the USA on June 26.

The top three teams from both groups will qualify for the Super Six, with the two finalists progressing to the showpiece tournament scheduled to be held later in the year in India.

Zimbabwe Squad: Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara, Craig Ervine, Bradley Evans, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

WATCH: Shaheen Shah Afridi smashes Bracewell for four sixes in T20 Blast

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday, stood firm on their stance regarding participation in this year’s ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in India amid the high-stakes meeting with International Cricket Council (ICC) top officials.

According to the details, the PCB categorically informed the ICC officials – Chairman Greg Barclay and Chief Executive Geoff Allardice – that the board will follow the orders of the Pakistan government for the World Cup if the Indian team does not travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup.

Details further suggest that the important meeting between the two parties also failed to come to a conclusion regarding an increase in PCB’s share in the ICC revenue while Asian Cricket Council (ACC) issues were also discussed in the meeting.

Consequently, the negotiations between PCB and ICC officials will resume tomorrow.

It is pertinent to mention that ICC’s supreme delegation arrived in Lahore on Tuesday morning on a two-day visit to meet the PCB’s 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.

Notably, 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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NEW YORK: The United States of America (USA) on Friday, named a strong 15-member under the leadership of Moyank Patel for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup Qualifier, scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe in June.

After securing the top position in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Playoff, USA will head to Zimbabwe next month to look to wrestle their way to India for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup later in the year.

Led by Monank Patel, and sporting some familiar names across departments, USA have named 15 players that will travel to Zimbabwe for Cricket World Cup Qualifier that begins on 18 June.

28-year-old Aaron Jones will act as deputy to Patel while the USA squad also features the stars from the Qualifier Playoff. Ali Khan, who led the wicket-taking chart with 16 scalps, including a stunning haul of 7/42 in the key clash against Jersey, will lead the pace attack.

USA are placed alongside West Indies, Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Nepal in Group A.

USA Squad: Monank Patel (c), Aaron Jones (vc), Abhishek Paradkar, Ali Khan, Gajanand Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Kyle Philip, Nisarg Patel, Nostush Kenjige, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Saurabh Netravalkar, Shayan Jahangir, Steven Taylor, Sushant Modani, Usman Rafiq.

READ: Haris Rauf to captain Lahore Qalandars in exhibition game against PCB XI

AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands Cricket on Wednesday, named their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.

DUBLIN: Cricket Ireland on Wednesday, have named a strong 15-member squad for the crucial 10-team 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe next month.

Andrew Balbirnie will lead a strong Ireland side, abundant with pacers, in the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, from which two teams would make it to the main event in India later in the year.

The Qualifier begins from June 18 and will see ten teams, including West Indies and Sri Lanka, competing for two places.

The Ireland squad has several pace options in Mark Adair, Josh Little, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Graham Hume and Curtis Campher. But considering the conditions, they have also opted to go with Ben White, who recently made his Test debut in Bangladesh.

“We’re heading into a big few months and it’s looking at what personnel we need from a tactical point of view, who are in form, and a squad composition that suits the conditions we are likely to face,” Andrew White, the Ireland men’s team selector, said.

“In the latter stages of the tournament, for example, we are likely to be playing on used pitches, so that’s where we see the value of a Ben White coming to the fore.”

“But before we look too far ahead, we have to start well and we’ve put together what we think is our best squad to meet that challenge. With a seam attack of Adair, Little, Young, McCarthy, Hume and Campher we feel we’re heading towards our best attack once more, while PJ Moor’s experience in Zimbabwean conditions and his versatility batting anywhere from 1 to 7 gives us great cover.”

Moor has already played Test cricket for Ireland since his move from Zimbabwe, but is yet to play ODIs for them with his last international fifty-over match coming in 2019 for Zimbabwe.

Stephen Doheny misses out on the squad after recently playing in the series against Zimbabwe earlier in the year.

“Qualifier events are tough, cut-throat competitions at times and a balance of talent, form and experience is essential,” White stressed.

“We believe we have achieved that and I know that Irish supporters will be right behind the players and staff in their quest for World Cup qualification.”

Ireland squad: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.

READ: Worcestershire pacer Josh Tongue added to England’s squad for Ireland Test