Tag: Najam Sethi

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi on Monday, put the uncertainty surrounding Babar Azam’s future as the Pakistan captain to rest.

Taking to Twitter, PCB management committee chair Sethi clarified the cricket board’s stance on continuing with Babar as the all-format captain and urged the media and cricketing circles to support the right-handed batter in interests of the national team.

“For months media and cricketing circles have been discussing pros and cons of retaining Babar Azam as captain in all formats of the game. Since this decision is ultimately Chairman’s, I have sought views of Selection Committees headed by Shahid Afridi and now Haroon Rashid.

1/3 For months media and cricketing circles have been discussing pros and cons of retaining Babar Azam as captain in all formats of the game. Since this decision is ultimately Chairman’s, I have sought views of Selection Committees headed by Shahid Afridi and now Haroon Rashid.

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) April 10, 2023

 

“Both Committees thought matter merited discussion but both later came to the conclusion that the status quo should be retained. I have subsequently publicly stated this position. In the final analysis my decision will be subject to the success or failure of status quo.

“I will also be guided by what the Selectors and Director Cricket Ops and Head Coach have to say going forward. I expect they will be in the best position to advise me. Therefore we should support Babar and not make matter controversial in interests of national team.

It is apropos to mention that rumours were surfacing on the internet regarding Babar’s captaincy being in jeopardy after he, alongside some senior players, was rested for the recently-held T20I series against Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Sethi, who held a press conference alongside chief selector Haroon Rasheed at Gaddafi Stadium here last month, refuted the rumours surfacing regarding a change in the team’s leadership and categorically stated that Babar will remain the national team’s all-format captain as long as he is willing to keep the role.

“There is no threat to our established captain Babar Azam. He remains the national captain of our Pakistan squad,” clarified Sethi.

“Whenever Babar tells me that he wants to relinquish the role in one format or in all formats, it is going to be his decision. I respect him a lot. He’s our top star and I’m glad that he supported our initiative,” he maintained.

READ: PAK v NZ: Tickets sale for Rawalpindi, Karachi matches starts on Tuesday

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee on Saturday hinted at slight changes in New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan, scheduled in April 2023.

Sethi while addressing the media here at Gaddafi Stadium, responded to a question regarding the schedule of New Zealand’s white-ball tour of Pakistan in April and stated that slight changes have been made, keeping the political situation into account.

“A schedule was designed earlier but we have made some changes to it. The New Zealand series will go ahead and probably minor tweaking has been done to it,” said Sethi.

“Initially it was bound to start from Karachi and then shift to Lahore and so on. So, those certain changes have been made. But, I think everything is on target,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that New Zealand will tour Pakistan in April this year to play a five-match each T20I and ODI series.

The T20I series will take place from April 13th to 23rd while the ODI series is scheduled from April 26th to May 7th.

National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi will host the first four T20I matches, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore will host the fifth T20I and the first two ODIs, while the remaining three ODIs will be held at Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

READ: ‘Mickey Arthur’s matter is in final stages,’ says Najam Sethi

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi provided a much-anticipated update on the possible return of former national head coach Mickey Arthur, stating that the negotiations are in the final stages.

While addressing a press conference here on Monday, Sethi shared that his discussion with Arthur is in the final stages and the decision will 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 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,” Sethi continued.

“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.

READ: ‘I have a meeting with Jay Shah amid ICC Board Meeting,’ shares Sethi

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi on Saturday, revealed that he will be meeting Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah in the ICC Board Meeting to discuss the deadlock about this year’s Asia Cup and World Cup participation.

Sethi interacted with the media here ahead of the closing ceremony of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight and provided the latest update regarding the long-running conflict between PCB and BCCI.

“Tonight after the award distribution ceremony, I am going to Dubai for ICC Board Meetings which will start tomorrow morning which is about Asia Cup, World Cup and Champions Trophy,” shared Sethi.

“I have taken the official stance and some things will be done on negotiations there. So, for now, I can’t comment further regarding this matter as I want to be aware of all the options there” he added.

Sethi then further disclosed that the legal opinion regarding Pakistan’s stance on the conflict has also been noted. Whereas, the PCB officials have several formal and informal meetings scheduled with ICC officials, BCCI secretary Jay Shah and ACC senior members.

“Our meetings are scheduled there with ICC officials. Some are formal and some informal. We have a formal and informal meeting with Jay Shah as well,” shared Sethi.

“I had a discussion with some of the senior ACC members and I made them aware of my reservations and the issues we are facing. So, by the will of Allah, we will take up the issues and try to find honourable and good solutions,” he concluded.

Notably, the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup and Pakistan’s participation in the Men’s ODI World Cup has been in jeopardy after BCCI refused to tour Pakistan for the aforementioned tournament on political grounds.

The BCCI has maintained their stance of not touring Pakistan for the Asia Cup, while the PCB is adamant that if they do not, then Pakistan might not travel to India for the World Cup in October-November.

READ: ‘Will try to add two more teams in next PSL,’ says Najam Sethi

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi expressed his strive to expand the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by adding two more teams in the next edition.

Sethi held a press conference here at Gaddafi Stadium to reflect on the ongoing PSL 8 which will conclude with a blockbuster final between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans and hinted at the cricket board’s plans for the next edition.

“If you ask me what are our plans for the next PSL, keeping it brief my strive is to add two more teams. But obviously, this decision is subject to the approval of the franchises and is impossible without doing the homework,” said Sethi.

“That is because if any franchise suffers a loss by the addition of two more franchises then it is not a good thing to do. It must be a win-win situation for everyone. So I’m doing homework on this.

“We had a brief discussion with the franchises and after the conclusion of this PSL, we will formally start consulting them the next month about the addition of teams and the model after the completion of 10 years.”

The PCB chief further commented on the future of the upcoming Pakistan Women’s League and shared the officials are considering three options for the inaugural event.

“There are multiple opinions regarding the Women’s League, one is that it should be held in September and should be stand-alone. The second is that it should be organized simultaneously with the next PSL to reduce the cost and the third issue is that to whom the franchises should be sold,” shared Sethi.

“Whether the first option should be the existing male franchise owners or it should be completely stand-alone and different. But I must tell you if we are planning to feature four to five teams then we already have enough interest that you assume all five franchises have been sold out,” Sethi added.

“Such is the interest in the Women’s league, especially from the abroad, from overseas Pakistanis. So, our problem is not to sell the team but to develop our players,” he concluded.

READ: All-round Qalandars down Zalmi to set up PSL 8 final clash with Sultans 

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi on Thursday, announced that the final of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight has been rescheduled due to the rain forecast on March 19.

Keeping the rain forecast into account, PCB and franchises agreed to reschedule the final from March 19 to March 18, tweeted Sethi.

“Rain looms over the HBL PSL 8 Final. [The PCB] and Franchises are anxious that the Final should not be disrupted,” Sethi wrote on Twitter.

“Therefore, we have decided to reschedule the HBL PSL Final from 19 Mar ’23 to Saturday, 18 Mar ’23,” he announced.

Rain looms over the HBL PSL 8 Final. @TheRealPCB and Franchises are anxious that the Final should not be disrupted. Therefore, we have decided to reschedule the HBL PSL Final from 19 Mar '23 to Saturday, 18 Mar '23. Tickets already purchased for the Final will remain valid.

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) March 16, 2023

The PCB management committee chairman also shared that the tickets already bought for the final will also remain valid despite the change in schedule.

It is pertinent to mention that Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi are in the race to play the final against already-qualified Multan Sultans.

Zalmi and United face each other in the first eliminator today, the winner of which will go on to face Qalandars, who faltered against Sultans in the qualifier on Wednesday.

Notably, the first eliminator between United and Zalmi also faced slight interruption as light rain delayed the toss of the all-important clash.

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi on Monday, shared an update regarding Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to be held in Pakistan this year.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup has been in jeopardy briefly after Pakistan was rewarded the hosting rights for the event in October as the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) refused to tour the country on political grounds.

Meanwhile, Sethi, who held a press conference here at Gaddafi Stadium alongside chief selector Haroon Rasheed to announce the squad for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, was asked to provide an update regarding the future of the Asia Cup.

“The situation is still the same. India will not come to Pakistan for Asia Cup. This is a very difficult and tricky situation which is still unresolved,” shared Sethi.

“There are two different matters, one is of ICC and the other is of ACC. This is not only about Asia Cup because we also have to host the Champions Trophy. I will go and talk with both ICC and ACC on this matter,” he added.

Sethi then shared that PCB sought advice from the federal government regarding this matter and stated that the cricket board will consider the decision of their patron – Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr Shehbaz Sharif – regarding this issue.

“I have approached our government to take their point of view on this matter. If our patron [PM Shehbaz Sharif] asks us to go and play World Cup India regardless of whether they come here to play Asia Cup or not, we will have to consider it,” he said.

“So far, our government’s point of view is also the same, if India do not come here, we will also not go there in World Cup. I believe that we have more security concerns in India due to the ongoing communal issues there,” he highlighted.

“So, we need to keep our government and security agencies in loop while making any decision regarding Asia Cup in Pakistan and World Cup in India,” Sethi concluded.

READ: Sethi clarifies decision of resting key players including captain Babar

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi on Monday, clarified the national team’s selectors’ decision of resting key players for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah.

The chairman of the PCB management committee Sethi, who held a press conference alongside chief selector Haroon Rasheed at Gaddafi Stadium here, refuted the rumours surfacing regarding a change in the team’s leadership and categorically stated that Babar will remain the national team’s all-format captain as long as he is willing to keep the role.

“There is no threat to our established captain Babar Azam. He remains the national captain of our Pakistan squad,” clarified Sethi.

“Whenever Babar tells me that he wants to relinquish the role in one format or in all formats, it is going to be his decision. I respect him a lot. He’s our top star and I’m glad that he supported our initiative,” he maintained.

Sethi then disclosed that he took all key players – Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf – in confidence before finalizing the squad and there is no threat to their place in the national team.

“I have discussed the matter with Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen and Fakhar and we are resting them. And all of them are happy. No problem,” stated Sethi.

“So, whoever is being rested, is on board. Their place is confirmed in the national team. There is no threat to them. They are our assets and they are genuinely being rested,” he added.

“We thought that some of our players were dealing with minor niggles and should rest. Also, some of our in-form and senior players, who played a lot of cricket in the last two years still have a hectic schedule ahead of them. So, we decided to rest those senior players as well in order to help them recover or avoid injuries,” he reasoned.

It is worth mentioning that chief selector Haroon named a fresh-look 15-member squad for the T20I series against Afghanistan under the leadership of all-rounder Shadab Khan.

Shadab will lead the side that includes four uncapped players – Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir and Zaman Khan – while Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim have been recalled.

READ: PCB names new captain, fresh-look squad for Afghanistan T20Is

KARACHI: The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi met injured pacer Shahnawaz Dahani on Saturday and inquired about his health.

Right-arm pacer Dahani, who was poised to represent Multan Sultans in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight had an early exit from the extravaganza after sustaining an injury to his right-hand finger.

Following the injury, the young right-arm pacer was ruled out of the PSL 8 and his counterpart Mohammad Ilyas was called up to the Sultans’ squad for the remainder of the marquee league.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the PCB management committee met the injured pacer in the team hotel on Saturday to inquire about his health and also wished him a speedy recovery.

Taking to Twitter, the PCB shared the footage of the meeting.

“Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Mr Najam Sethi met [Shahnawaz Dahani] in Karachi and inquired about his health following his finger injury,” wrote PCB.

Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Mr Najam Sethi met @ShahnawazDahani in Karachi and inquired about his health following his finger injury. pic.twitter.com/7FdwSIwh1e

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 18, 2023

 

It is pertinent to mention that Dahani’s Sultans are currently leading the PSL 8 points table with four points after three matches, followed by Islamabad United.

READ: PCB confirms PSL 8 to continue as planned 

Pakistan will play a three-game bilateral T20 series against Afghanistan by the end of March, confirmed Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Management Committee Najam Sethi on Sunday.

Sethi said the T20I series would compensate Afghanistan for the losses caused by the withdrawal of Cricket Australia from the ODI series against the side, scheduled in UAE.

“Pleased to announce PCB will play 3xT20s against Afghanistan in Sharjah end March to compensate Afghanistan following Australia’s pullout from bi lateral series against it.” he said on Twitter.

Pleased to announce PCB will play 3xT20s against Afghanistan in Sharjah end March to compensate Afghanistan following Australia’s pullout from bi lateral series against it. I also supported ACC decision to grant Afghanistan equal share of ACC revenues like BCCI, PCB, SLC & BCB.

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) February 5, 2023

PCB head added that he also supported the Asian Cricket Council’s decision to grant Afghanistan an equal share of ACC revenues like the other top four member boards.

“I also supported ACC decision to grant Afghanistan equal share of ACC revenues like BCCI, PCB, SLC & BCB.” he remarked.

It is pertinent to mention here that during a media talk last month, Sethi disclosed that PCB and ACB will equally share the remuneration yielded from the aforesaid series.

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