Tag: PCB

Former cricketers Mansoor Rana and Wahab Riaz have been removed from their positions as team manager and senior manager of the Pakistan men’s cricket team respectively, sources claimed.

Both managers were sacked owing to the bad discipline and dressing room atmosphere in the team during the recent series as well as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The shakeup in the national men’s team’s selection committee is a part of the “major surgery”, hinted at by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Wahab Riaz was also expelled from the seven-member Pakistan Men’s Cricket Selection Committee yesterday, along with former cricketer Abdul Razzaq.

Following Pakistan’s two consecutive defeats in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, PCB Chairman Naqvi hinted at a major surgery in the team.

Addressing a press conference in New York on June 10, after Pakistan’s gut-wrenching defeat to India, Naqvi said the defeat was disappointing in every way.

“It seemed that a minor surgery would suffice for the Pakistan cricket team, but after the extremely poor performance, it has become clear that the team needs major surgery,” the PCB chairman said.

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He went on to add that he was well aware of what was happening within the team and the reasons for the defeat.

The PCB Chairman mentioned that Pakistani cricket is currently at its lowest performance level. Our biggest challenge is to improve the team’s performance.

“The nation will soon see a major surgery taking place. We have to prepare the team for the Champions Trophy, and it is time to give opportunities to the talent sitting outside,” stated the PCB chief.

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LAHORE: Pakistan men’s cricket team’s white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie, and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood met at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) headquarters on Wednesday.

The three coaches discussed the ongoing situation of the team and the future plans to steer the team in the right direction.

Notably, Gary Kirsten, Jason Gillespie, and Azhar Mahmood also met the chairman of PCB Mohsin Naqvi yesterday, where they discussed making a comprehensive coaching plan for the national team.

Kirsten and Gillespie put forward their plans to improve the team’s performance in their respective formats, with a major emphasis on improving the fielding and fitness of the players along with batting and bowling.

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Chairman PCB expressed his confidence in the coaches and gave them free-hand to make their decisions, ensuring complete support.

The coaches and the chairman agreed on the fact that there is an abundance of talent in Pakistan, however, there is a need to make the right combinations to take the best out of each player’s ability.

Meanwhile, in another development, former cricketers Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq were expelled from the seven-member Pakistan Men’s Cricket Selection Committee yesterday.

With Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq’s expulsion, the selection committee now features Asad Shafique and Mohammad Yousuf, who, are most likely to lose their positions too as the formation of the new selection committee is on the cards.

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The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi met white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie, and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood on Tuesday.

Pakistan’s Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla was also present at the meeting, where the participants discussed making a comprehensive coaching plan for the national team.

Kirsten and Gillespie put forward their plans to improve the team’s performance in their respective formats, with a major emphasis on improving the fielding and fitness of the players along with batting and bowling.

Chairman PCB expressed his confidence in the coaches and gave them free-hand to make their decisions, ensuring complete support.

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The coaches and the chairman agreed on the fact that there is an abundance of talent in Pakistan, however, there is a need to make the right combinations to take the best out of each player’s ability.

Pakistan team’s next assignment is a two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, starting from August 21 in Rawalpindi. This series will be Pakistan’s first Test series under Gillespie.

Prior to that, Gillespie will travel to Darwin with the Pakistan Shaheens as the team’s head coach for their four-day games.

He will return to Pakistan after the second four-day match against Bangladesh ‘A’, which finishes on 29 July, to assume responsibilities as the national side’s head coach and commence preparations for Bangladesh series.

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KARACHI: The practice match between Pakistan Whites and Pakistan Greens has been called off due to rain here at UBL Sports Complex on Tuesday.

Pakistan Whites, while chasing 265, scored ten runs without loss in two overs before persistent rain abandoned the match.

Prior to that, Pakistan Greens scored 264-5 in 39 overs, with Kamran Ghulam scoring an unbeaten 78 runs. Opening batter Sahibzada Farhan also scored 78 runs before retiring out, while Mubasir Khan scored 32.

For Pakistan Whites, Faisal Akram returned with bowling figures of 2-45 and Usman Qadir claimed 2-59.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Greens captain Umar Amin opted to bat first against Saud Shakeel-led Pakistan Whites.

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Both teams are comprising players from the pre-season training camp and Pakistan Shaheens’ squad for the Darwin tour. The pre-season training camp is being attended by 25 cricketers, including 15 players from Pakistan Shaheens’ squad.

In Darwin, Pakistan Shaheens will play two four-day matches against Bangladesh ‘A’, two 50-over matches against Northern Territory and Bangladesh, and also participate in the nine-team Top End T20 Series.

Following are the players invited by the national selection committee for the pre-season fitness and fielding camp as well as the Pakistan Shaheen squad:

Players for pre-season fitness and fielding camp – Abdullah Shafique, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Hunain Shah, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Sameen Gul, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, Umar Amin, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Ali and Zahid Mahmood.

Pakistan Shaheens squad

Haseebullah, Hunain Shah, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Huraira, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, Umar Amin and Mohammad Ali.

READ: Two players fined by PCB for Code of Conduct breach

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is conducting fitness tests, for the first time ever in 104 districts across the 16 regions in the country. Over 2,300 players are appearing in the ongoing countrywide fitness tests.

These tests are being conducted as per the Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi’s vision for incorporating a culture of fitness at the grassroots level.

In order to assemble the squads for the Regional Inter District Senior Tournament 2024-25, 23 players in each district have been shortlisted after the Challenge Cup that took place in April and May 2024.

These 23 players in each district are undergoing strenuous fitness and strength testing under the watchful eye of the respective district and regional coaches and trainers.

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The players after passing the fitness test will then be summoned for a 45-day camp in their respective districts leading to the Inter District Senior Tournament in September.

The players after passing the fitness test will then be summoned for a 45-day camp in their respective districts leading to the Inter District Senior Tournament in September.

“The PCB has decided to conduct fitness tests at the district level instead of the regional level starting from this domestic season,” said Abdullah Khurram Niazi, the director of Domestic Cricket Operations.

“This initiative will surely push the players to prioritise their fitness right from the start and the culture will then expand to other domestic competitions. With more fitter players participating in the tournaments, the quality of cricket will also increase.”

READ: Two players fined by PCB for Code of Conduct breach

LAHORE: Pakistan women cricketers Ayesha Amjad and Najiha Alvi have been fined by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday for breaching the Code of Conduct.

The above-mentioned players were part of the Women University’s (LCWU) team during the PCB Women’s Cricket University Tournament.

“Ayesha Amjad and Najiha Alvi, team-mates at the Women University’s (LCWU), have been fined after being found guilty of breaching the Code of Conduct during the PCB Women’s Cricket University Tournament, which was held from 28 May to 3 June,” PCB said in a press release.

“After the dressing room incident involving the two players came to the attention of the PCB, a five-member committee comprising members of the organising committee was constituted that gave its findings after investigating the event and interviewing the players.”

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Notably, Najiha Alvi is part of Pakistan women’s squad for the upcoming ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup, scheduled to be played in Dambulla, Sri Lanka from 19 to 28 July.

Pakistan are placed in Group ‘A’ along with India, Nepal and UAE, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand and Malaysia are in Group ‘B’. The top two teams from each group will play in the semi-finals on July 26.

Pakistan will take on India on the opening day of the tournament on 19 July, while their matches against Nepal and UAE will be on 21 and 23 July, respectively.

Pakistan squad for ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup

Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan

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KARACHI: Pakistan’s red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie reached here on Sunday for his first assignment in the role and held a press conference, addressing the key issues of the Green Shirts.

The former Australian pacer was appointed the red-ball head coach in April and will take charge from the home Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled in August.

In his first press conference, he expressed his excitement to work with Pakistan’s senior team, while also confirming that he will be touring to Darwin with Pakistan Shaheens.

“I am excited to work with the Pakistan cricket team and will also travel to Australia with the Shaheens,” Gillespie stated.

The former Australian appreciated the Green Shirts’ talent, however, he pointed out that the major concern is the team’s inconsistency, which was also evident on their tour of Australia, where they lost 3-0.

“During the last tour to Australia, Pakistan lost the series 3-0 but they played well. There were moments in the series where they were also dominating the opponents,” he added.

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“The Pakistan cricket team is very talented but the lack of consistency in performances is the main problem, we will see how we can bring continuity and consistency in performances.”

He also emphasized the importance of fitness in modern cricket and stated that there would be no compromise on fitness. “In international cricket, you have to remain fit; there are no excuses for fitness,” he stated.

Along with fitness, Jason Gillespie also highlighted the concerns with Pakistan’s fielding performance while vowing to improve it

“There is a general opinion that Pakistan’s fielding is their weak point, so that would be my priority. For me, the goal is to see how we play against quality sides.”

The head coach also opened up about his conversation with Test captain Shan Masood and white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten.

“I have talked to Shan Masood [Pakistan’s red-ball capain] one to two times, I’m hoping we will play positive cricket,” Gillespie shared.

“If a player is good for the team, he will definitely be selected. I’m in contact with Gary Kirsten [Pakistan’s white-ball coach] for players’ workload management.”

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday opened up about the future of the national team’s white-ball captain Babar Azam in his role.

Babar Azam has been under hot water following the national men’s team’s early exit from the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024.

Naqvi, while talking to the media here, stated that there has been no decision to remove the captain yet. However, he is consulting with former cricketers and they will decide on Babar Azam’s future as captain.

“No decision has been taken so far related to Babar Azam,” said the PCB chief, adding that he is seeking advice from former cricketers on how to improve cricket in Pakistan.

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“I’m only speaking to those former cricketers who are interested in the betterment of Pakistan cricket,” he added.

The PCB chairman also shared that he called head coach Gary Kirsten and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood for a discussion on the Pakistan team’s performance in the mega-event.

It is pertinent to mention that the Babar Azam-led Pakistan team were knocked out from the group stage of the T20 World Cup, majorly because of their upset defeat against the USA, followed by a gut-wrenching defeat against arch-rivals India.

The back-to-back defeats had put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit from the tournament while the abandonment of the crucial group-stage fixture between the USA and Ireland officially marked the end of their campaign in T20 World Cup 2024.

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Pakistan cricketers turned to an innovative training method as they were spotted incorporating old mattresses into their fielding drills during their pre-season fitness camp in Karachi.

Test cricketers Imam-ul-Haq and Umar Amin were engaged in catching drills on mattresses under the guidance of fielding specialist Masroor. The players attempted dives to take difficult catches with the mattress ensuring their safe landing.

 

It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan team is in hot water following their dismal run in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan had a disastrous start to their campaign as they endured a shock loss against the USA in the Super Over as they failed to chase down the 19-run target.

Following the defeat against the USA, Pakistan succumbed to a frustrating six-run defeat against arch-rivals India.

The back-to-back defeats put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit from the tournament. The former champions got on the winning track when they registered a hard-fought seven-wicket victory over Canada to keep Super Eights hopes alive.

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However, the USA’s match against Ireland was abandoned without a ball bowled due to persistent rain in Florida, resulting in Pakistan getting knocked out of the tournament as the USA progressed from Group A along with India.

Pakistan then edged past Ireland in another stiff challenge to bow out of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a win.

Currently, the Green Shirts are preparing for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh. The two-match Test series is scheduled to be played in August.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday, granted No Objection Certificate (NOC) to 12 players including Mohammad Amir to participate in foreign leagues across the globe.

The 12 players granted NOC by the cricketing body include centrally-contracted players as well as those, who have not represented the country in a long time.

Experienced pacer Mohammad Amir, who came out of retirement for the T20 World Cup 2024, is poised to feature in the County Championship from July 4 to 20. Whereas, leg-spinner Usama Mir will participate in The Hundred from July 23 to August 20.

Shadab Khan, Mohammad Haris, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Hasnain, all bound to partake in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024, have also been given the green signal by the board.

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Pakistan’s first-choice right-arm pacer Haris Rauf alongside Zaman Khan and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed will participate in the Major League Cricket (MLC), scheduled to run from July 5 to 28.

Left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman has been granted NOC from 29 August to 6 October to participate in the Caribbean Premier League.

The set of players, granted the NOCs by the PCB, also features Sohaib Maqsood and Sharjeel Khan, who last represented Pakistan in 2021. The duo will participate in the World Championship of Legends from July 3 to 13.

It is worth mentioning here that the PCB has a policy which prohibits centrally contracted players from participating in more than two leagues besides the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

List of Pakistani players to get NOCs

Abrar Ahmed – Major League Cricket
Fakhar Zaman – Caribbean Premier League
Haris Rauf – Major League Cricket
Mohammad Amir – County Cricket
Mohammad Haris – Lanka Premier League
Mohammad Hasnain – Lanka Premier League
Salman Ali Agha – Lanka Premier League
Shadab Khan – Lanka Premier League
Sharjeel Khan – World Championship of Legends
Sohaib Maqsood – World Championship of Legends
Usama Mir – The Hundred
Zaman Khan – Major League Cricket

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