Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Archives

PCB chairman invites Saudi cricket chief to Pakistan for Champions Trophy

Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has invited Prince Saud bin Mishal Al Saud, the chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), to visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The two cricket officials met in Riyadh to discuss avenues for collaboration, player development, and the growth of cricket in Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting, Naqvi assured full support for cricket promotion in Saudi Arabia, including assistance with stadium construction and player training programs.

He emphasized the importance of fostering cricket ties between the two nations and suggested initiating a player exchange program to help develop emerging talent.

“Saudi Arabia is like a second home to every Pakistani, and we are delighted to offer our support for the growth of cricket here,” Mohsin Naqvi stated.

“We will provide full support for cricket development and the construction of stadiums,” he added.

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“Saudi Arabia can send its emerging players to Pakistan. A player exchange program can also be initiated for cricket development,” Naqvi concluded.

Prince Saud bin Mishal expressed his gratitude to Mohsin Naqvi for the invitation to the Champions Trophy.

He welcomed the collaboration, revealing that Saudi Arabia currently has around 18,000 active cricket players and has achieved significant milestones, including winning the ACC Challenge Cup.

“We are eager to work closely with Pakistan to develop cricket in Saudi Arabia, and this partnership can open new horizons for our players,” he said.

On the other hand, the deadlock surrounding the Champions Trophy is at a standstill as the International Cricket Council (ICC) is awaiting a response from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the PCB’s ‘fusion formula.’

While there are indications that the BCCI is inclined to accept this ‘fusion formula,’ the situation remains fluid, and there has yet to be any official communication or update on the matter.

READ: Mitchell Santner named New Zealand’s full-time white-ball captain

Jason Gillespie reveals reasons behind his resignation as Pakistan head coach

Former Australia pace bowler Jason Gillespie recently revealed the reasons behind his shocking resignation as the red-ball head coach of Pakistan men’s cricket team.

Gillespie was appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in April 2024 for a two-year period. However, last week he stepped down from the role unexpectedly ahead of the much-awaited Test series against South Africa.

Numerous reports circulated in the media about the reasons for Gillespie’s sudden exit, but he revealed the actual reasons in a recent interview with Australian media.

“When I went into the job, I want to make that very clear, I knew that Pakistan had been through a cycle of a number of coaches in a short period of time,” said Gillespie.

“I put my case forward and explained how I felt I could help. You want to create an environment where players are relaxed but focused. I felt that the Test side were very much on track doing that.”

However, the PCB’s decision to unceremoniously part ways with Tim Nielsen, the High-Performance Coach, without any prior communication with Gillespie, led to him stepping down from his role.

“The straw that broke the camel’s back was, as a head coach, you like to have clear communication with your employer, and I was completely and utterly blindsided by a decision to not have High-Performance coach Tim Nielsen,” the former pacer explained.

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“He was told that his services were no longer required, and I had absolutely zero communication from anyone about that.

“This situation, along with past incidents, made me question whether I was truly needed. Not informing the head coach about such a major decision compelled me to think this way.”

It’s worth noting that Gillespie’s tenure saw several changes in his responsibilities. Earlier, he was part of the selection committee along with captain Shan Masood.

However, after a disastrous start to his tenure, the PCB removed the head coach and captain from the selection committee after the appointment of Aleem Dar, Aqib Javed and Azhar Ali as selectors.

“What I felt was my opportunity to help Pakistan cricket was diminished by the reduced role, in essence, basically hitting catches, and that was about it on the morning of a game,” Gillespie further stated.

“You want to be able to have clear communication with all stakeholders, with selectors, for instance, knowing what the team is as head coach well before the game, before that, at least the day before the game, so you can help plan and prepare.

“Those sorts of things proved to be quite difficult and made it untenable.”

It’s worth noting that Jason Gillespie started his tenure as Pakistan head coach with the home Test series defeat against Bangladesh. However, in his second assignment, Pakistan bounced back and defeated England 2-1.

READ: PCB reacts to Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim’s retirement

Mohammad Amir once again retires from international cricket

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has once again announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday, shattering the hopes of his fans who were waiting for his comeback.

Amir announced his decision in a heartfelt note posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, following the footsteps of his compatriot Imad Wasim, who announced his retirement yesterday.

“After careful consideration, I have taken the difficult decision to retire from international cricket,” he posted.

“These decisions are never easy but are inevitable. I feel this is the right time for the next generation to take the baton and elevate Pakistan Cricket to new heights.

“Representing my country has been and always will be the greatest honour of my life. I would sincerely like to thank the PCB, my family and friends and, above all, my fans for their continuous love & support.”

Mohammad Amir has previously announced retirement from international cricket back in 2020 at the age of 28, citing differences with the then-team management.

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However, he along with Imad Wasim came out of international retirement earlier this year and declared availability for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Wasim managed three wickets in three games at an average of 14.66 and scored a meagre 19 runs in two outings. Meanwhile, Amir was Pakistan’s best bowler in the tournament, taking seven wickets in four matches at an impressive average of 10.28.

However, their presence did not help as Pakistan crashed out of the tournament from the group stage, mainly due to their gut-wrenching defeats against the United States of America (USA) and arch-rivals India.

Amir made his international debut at the age of 17 during the ICC T20 World Cup 2009 and played a key role in Pakistan’s title victory.

He went on to represent Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 62 T20Is, taking 271 wickets and scoring 1,179 runs across formats.

He was also part of the Pakistan side that won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, under the inspired leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed.

READ: Reeza Hendricks’ ton trumps Saim Ayub’s 98* as South Africa clinch T20I series

Tim Nielsen removed as Pakistan’s assistant coach

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed Tim Nielsen from his role as assistant coach ahead of the upcoming Test series against South Africa, which is set to commence on December 26.

In light of the PCB’s choice not to extend Tim Nielsen’s contract, Pakistan’s Test head coach, Jason Gillespie, is said to be re-evaluating his own position.

Tim Nielsen, who assumed the role of high-performance red-ball coach in August, had his short-term contract conclude after Pakistan’s tour of Australia, which was overseen by Gillespie.

Despite his optimism regarding a potential extension and his belief in the progress made with the team, Nielsen was informed that his services would no longer be needed.

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Reports indicate that Gillespie was taken aback by the PCB’s decision, as he was not consulted prior to Nielsen’s termination.

In recent months, Gillespie has encountered several challenges. He was removed from the Test selection panel in October, limiting his role to that of a matchday strategist.

Communication with the board has reportedly been minimal, particularly following Pakistan’s white-ball series in Australia, during which Gillespie served as interim coach after Gary Kirsten’s resignation.

Gillespie has publicly acknowledged Nielsen’s strong relationship with the players, viewing it as a significant asset to the team.

Both coaches believe that Nielsen’s non-resident status in Pakistan may have influenced the decision not to extend his contract. Nevertheless, Nielsen confirmed his availability for the tours to South Africa and the West Indies.

READ: Rizwan bags multiple unwanted records in first T20I against South Africa

Gary Kirsten resigns as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach

Former South Africa batter Gary Kirsten has resigned as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan cricket team, sources revealed.

Kirsten was appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in April 2024 for a two-year period. However, he has stepped down from the role after a meagre six months.

The South African took charge during Pakistan’s four-match T20I series against England in the lead-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

During his tenure as the white-ball head coach, Pakistan lost the series against England and were knocked out of the T20 World Cup from the group stage.

The sources revealed that Kirsten’s resignation came in the wake of his disagreements with the cricket board over central contracts and white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of Australia and Zimbabwe.

It’s worth noting that previously head coach and captain of the respective formats were part of the selection committee as voting members.

However, following Pakistan’s heavy defeat in the first Test against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) overhauled the selection committee, removing the captain and coach from the selection process, which did not sit well with Gary Kirsten.

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Moreover, the PCB announced the central contracts for the 2024-25 international season, along with the squads for the tours to Australia and Zimbabwe. The reports suggest that Kirsten expressed his disagreements over the squads.

The cricket board also appointed wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan as the captain for Pakistan’s white-ball team ahead of the upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe.

The Australia tour will run from 4-18 November, while the matches in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, will be played from 24 November to 5 December.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Salman Ali Agha has been appointed as the vice-captain and will lead the team in Rizwan’s absence during the T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Pakistan Squad for Australia Tour

ODI SQUAD: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (vc) and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

T20I SQUAD: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan

Pakistan Squad for Zimbabwe Tour

ODI SQUAD: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir

T20I SQUAD: Salman Ali Agha (c), Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan

READ: Mohammad Amir reacts to Fakhar Zaman’s exclusion from Pakistan squad

Mohammad Rizwan appointed as Pakistan’s white-ball captain

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday announced the appointment of wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan as the white-ball captain of the national cricket team.

Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha has been appointed as the vice-captain of Pakistan’s white-ball team.

Naqvi made the announcement during a press conference in Lahore, accompanied by newly appointed captain and vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha respectively. They were joined by the members of the selection committee Aqib Javed and Azhar Ali.

It’s worth noting that Rizwan replaced fellow batter Babar Azam, who stepped down as Pakistan’s white-ball captain earlier this month.

Babar’s resignation came in the wake of the national team’s disastrous campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 where they suffered their first-ever group-stage exit, mainly pertaining to their shock loss against the United States of America (USA) and gut-wrenching defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India.

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Mohammad Rizwan will kick off his stint as Pakistan captain from the upcoming tour of Australia, where Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series followed by three T20Is, scheduled to run from November 4 until November 18.

Earlier today, the PCB announced squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia and Zimbabwe.

The 32-year-old wicket-keeper will lead the team during the Australia matches and Zimbabwe ODIs but will be rested from the Zimbabwe T20Is. In his absence, Salman Ali Agha will lead Pakistan in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Pakistan Squad for Australia Tour

Pakistan Squad for Zimbabwe Tour

READ: Babar Azam, Rizwan retained in category A as PCB announces central contracts

PCB confirms venue for Pakistan Shaheens series against Sri Lanka ‘A’

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday confirmed that Islamabad Club will host the five-match red and white-ball series between Sri Lanka ‘A’ and Pakistan Shaheens in November.

As announced earlier, Sri Lanka ‘A’ on their maiden tour to Pakistan, will play two four-day matches from 11 to 21 November, followed by a three-match 50-over series on 25, 27 and 29 November.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ will arrive in Islamabad on 7 November and will train for three days before taking on the Pakistan Shaheens in the first four-dayer commencing from 11 November.

For both four-day games, the toss will take place at 9:00 AM PKT, with the first ball expected to be bowled at 9:30 AM PKT.

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The three 50-over series fixtures will be day-night games, with the toss taking place at 1:30 PM PKT. The first ball of the match is expected to be bowled at 2:00 PM PKT.

The PCB continues to invest in its young talent with Shaheens set to play their second home series in three months. In August, Bangladesh ‘A’ had travelled to Islamabad for two four-dayers and a three-match 50-over series.

Besides the home series this year, Pakistan Shaheens had also featured in two four-dayers against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin, Australia, two 50-over matches against Northern Territory and Bangladesh ‘A’ and also took part in the Top End T20 series.

The Shaheens have also recently competed in the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Muscat.

Schedule of Sri Lanka ‘A’ Tour of Pakistan

7 Nov – Sri Lanka’s Arrival in Islamabad

11-14 Nov – 1st four-day match, Islamabad Club

18-21 Nov – 2nd four-day match, Islamabad Club

25 Nov – 1st 50-over match, Islamabad Club

27 Nov – 2nd 50-over match, Islamabad Club

29 Nov – 3rd 50-over match, Islamabad Club

READ: PCB reveals squads for Australia and Zimbabwe tours

PCB reveals squads for Australia and Zimbabwe tours

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced 15-member squads for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe on Sunday, where the national side will play three ODIs and three T20Is each.

The Australia tour will run from 4-18 November, while the matches in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, will be played from 24 November to 5 December.

Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who were given a break from the last two Tests against England, returned for the Australia matches but will be rested for the Zimbabwe tour.

Similarly, Mohammad Rizwan will be available for the Australia matches and Zimbabwe ODIs, but will be rested from the Zimbabwe T20Is.

This approach follows the selectors’ rotation policy and provides opportunities to domestic performers, aligning with the team’s strategy for the ICC Champions Trophy and beyond.

Uncapped players in the ODI squad include Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Saim Ayub. Jahandad Khan and Salman Ali Agha join the T20I squad for the first time.

Kamran Ghulam, Omair Bin Yousuf and Sufyan Moqim make their national side debut, having previously played limited-overs internationals.

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Kamran served as a concussion substitute for Haris Sohail against New Zealand in an ODI in January 2023, while Omair and Sufyan debuted in the T20I format against Hong Kong during the Asian Games men’s cricket competition.

Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, player of the Champions One-Day Cup in Faisalabad last month with 17 wickets, also returns to the ODI side, having last represented Pakistan in an ODI against New Zealand in January 2023.

Apart from Babar, Naseem, Rizwan, Salman, and Shaheen, four other players have been selected in both the ODI and T20I squads. They are: Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah and Muhammad Irfan Khan.

Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Faisal Akram, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, and Saim Ayub are selected solely for the ODIs and will be replaced by Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufyan Moqim, and Usman Khan for the T20Is.

Seven ODI squad members – Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi – will depart for Melbourne on Monday, 28 October, with the remaining ODI players leaving on Tuesday, 29 October. Pakistan’s white-ball coach, Gary Kirsten, will join the squad in Melbourne on 28 October.

Domestic performers dominate Pakistan squads for Zimbabwe ODIs and T20Is

Ahmed Daniyal, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan and Tayyab Tahir are the other players apart from Salman Ali Agha who have been selected for both formats.

Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub and Shahnawaz Dahani have been picked in the ODI side and will be replaced by Arafat Minhas, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi and Usman Khan for the shortest format of the game.

Haseebullah, Haris Rauf, Muhammad Irfan Khan and Salman Ali Agha are the four players who will be part of the squads from the start of the Australia tour to the end of the Zimbabwe tour.

Pakistan Squad for Australia Tour

ODI SQUAD: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi

T20I SQUAD: Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan

Pakistan Squad for Zimbabwe Tour

ODI SQUAD: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir

T20I SQUAD: Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan

READ: Babar Azam, Rizwan retained in category A as PCB announces central contracts

Here’s when PCB will announce white-ball captain

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to announce the captain of men’s white-ball team later today for the upcoming tour of Australia and Zimbabwe.

Pakistan are set to embark on a white-ball tour to Australia for a three-match each ODI and T20I series, scheduled to run from November 4 until November 18.

The tour itself is a tough challenge for the Green Shirts, considering their previous record in Australia but the touring side faces another stiff challenge, a leadership void, which was created by Babar Azam after he officially stepped down as the team’s white-ball captain earlier this month.

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Right when Babar’s second reign as Pakistan captain ended, the cricketing body began searching for a new leader and wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan emerged as the front-runner.

Several reports within the national media indicated Rizwan as the next white-ball captain of the national team but the PCB is yet to make an official announcement.

However, the cricket board has announced that they will announce the captain today.

“Pakistan’s white-ball captain will be unveiled by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in a media conference in Lahore on Sunday at 3:30 PM,” the PCB press release stated.

READ: Babar Azam, Rizwan retained in category A as PCB announces central contracts

Babar Azam, Rizwan retained in category A as PCB announces central contracts

LAHORE: Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were retained in Category A as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced central contracts for the 2024-25 international season on Sunday.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded 12-month central contracts to 25 men’s cricketers for the 2024-25 international season, effective from 1 July 2024,” the PCB’s press release stated.

“The contracts have been offered under the structure that was agreed last year between the players and the PCB for a three-year period.

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“As part of the PCB’s strategy to incentivise, encourage and reward talented and emerging cricketers, five players have been offered central contracts for the first time.

“They are Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Irfan Khan and Usman Khan. These players have been placed in Category D.”

Men’s Central Contract List for the 2024-25 season

List of centrally contracted players:

Category A (2): Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan

Category B (3): Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood

Category C (9): Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shadab Khan

Category D (11): Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Hurraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Usman Khan

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