Tag: PCB

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to make it a must for players to participate in domestic cricket for their selection in the national team.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on Monday, PCB said in a press release.

The meeting occurred following Pakistan’s horror run at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. The Men in Green were eliminated from the marquee event in the group stage following two losses to the United States of America (USA) and India.

During the meeting, participants focused on strengthening domestic cricket in the country as Mohsin Naqvi gave principled approval to the plan aimed at promoting quality domestic cricket.

The PCB chairman announced a plan to organise domestic tournaments from the club level to the national level.

While directing PCB officials to groom domestic players, he emphasised the need for experienced coaches to train the new talent to enhance their skills.

“Performance, fitness, and merit will be the key criteria for advancing players,” Naqvi said.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board will hold tournaments for all three formats of the game to promote quality domestic cricket in the 2024-25 season.

In a move to improve the standard of coaching, the PCB will appoint a master coach to train domestic cricket coaches.

According to the PCB, the participants of the meeting agreed that the selection criteria for the national team will be based on performance and fitness showcased in the domestic events.

The meeting participants also reviewed the domestic cricket structures of various high-performing cricket nations.

Earlier this month, Naqvi had said the defeat against India was disappointing in every way and that the team needed a major surgery.

“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 during a press conference after Pakistan’s defeat to India on June 9.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 is likely to clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) proposed April-May as the tentative window for the marquee league.

The PSL is held every year in the February-March window but due to its collision with the traditional window of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the cricket board came up with an alternative proposal.

The PCB officials and its six PSL franchisees, in the buildup to their General Council meeting, met on Saturday morning at the Gaddafi Stadium here to reflect on the PSL 2024 and also to look ahead to the PSL 2025.

In the meeting, the cricket board proposed a new window, discussed the availability of venues and also the introduction of some innovative tweaks to the playing conditions, with further discussions to take place in the Governing Council in due course.

“Due to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 being held in the traditional event window, the event window for the 2025 event will be 7 April 2025 – 20 May 2025,” proposed PCB.

“Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi to host matches in Pakistan with each side playing, at least, five matches on home ground. The PCB will continue to explore additional venues. Four playoffs proposed to be staged at a neutral venue.

“Some innovative tweaks and changes in the event playing conditions were explored with an aim to make the HBL PSL 2025 more exciting and competitive, as well as involve, engage, and increase the fan base.”

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PCB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salman Naseer reflected on the meeting and asserted that the cricket board will share further data with the franchisees regarding the new window for PSL 2025.

“As always, we had a very exciting and interesting brainstorming session with the franchise owners on the window for HBL Pakistan Super League 2025. The passionate franchise owners provided their all-rounded insight and views on the PCB-recommended window and playoff venues for the 2025 event and beyond.

“At the back of this meeting, and in relation to the most suitable window for HBL PSL 2025 and beyond, the PCB will share further data with the franchise owners so that they can discuss amongst themselves, make a more informed decision and share their ideas and thoughts at the General Council meeting.

“We look forward to working closely with the franchisees to take timely decisions for the future trajectory of one of Pakistan’s biggest brands.”

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LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Ihsanullah has departed for Manchester, England to see a renowned orthopedic surgeon about his elbow injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Sunday.

Ihsanullah, who has featured for Pakistan in one ODI and four T20Is, suffered an elbow injury last year.

The 21-year-old has been out of action since playing for Pakistan in the ODI series against New Zealand at home last year in April.

“Fast bowler Ihsanullah left for Manchester, England, on Sunday morning for his crucial appointment on Monday with esteemed orthopedic surgeon, Professor Adam Watts, regarding his elbow injury,” PCB stated in a press release.

“Professor Watts specialises in hand and wrist surgery, shoulder and elbow procedures, sports injuries, and trauma surgery.

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“Ihsanullah’s franchise, Multan Sultans, has collaborated with the PCB to secure this appointment.

“The PCB, as Ihsanullah’s parent body, will cover all expenses for his treatment and rehabilitation.

“Further updates will be provided by the PCB following Professor Watts’ assessment and diagnosis.”

Notably, the right-arm pacer was bowling in the nets ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine but could not receive the green signal from the medical team and was consequently ruled out of the entirety of the tournament.

Ihsanullah played a pivotal role in Sultans’ run to the final of last year’s edition as he ended up as the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament, picking up 22 wickets in 13 matches.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded the international media rights of the upcoming Pakistan versus New Zealand men’s and Pakistan versus West Indies women’s series to the consortium of ARY Digital and TransGroup International following a transparent tender process, which also involved participation from two international networks.

The five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played from April 18 to April 27 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, while the three ODIs and five T20Is in the women’s series featuring Pakistan and the West Indies will be held from April 18 to May 3 in Karachi.

CEO ARY Digital Network Mr Salman Iqbal expressed his delight after securing the international media rights partnership with the PCB and is eager to deliver the gripping cricketing action to fans across the world.

“ARY is pleased to collaborate with TransGroup International to secure the international media rights partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board. We eagerly anticipate delivering thrilling cricket action to fans worldwide.”

Rao Usman Hashim, Chief Operating Officer of TransGroup International:

“TransGroup International and ARY are thrilled to acquire the international media rights of the Pakistan Cricket Board for the upcoming series. Our teams will work closely to ensure a compelling mix of men’s and women’s cricket for international broadcasters.”

Salman Naseer, PCB Chief Operating Officer:

“Pakistan has become the hub for top-tier cricket. We have successfully hosted numerous international teams, providing quality cricketing entertainment to audiences worldwide. With the allocation of these global rights, the Pakistani diaspora and fans worldwide will enjoy the broadcasts of the New Zealand men’s and West Indies women’s fixtures. We appreciate our partnership with both ARY and TransGroup International and thank them for their continued support of Pakistan Cricket.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board will share a comprehensive list of global broadcasters in due course.

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LAHORE: ARY Communications has won media rights for Pakistan’s upcoming men’s and women’s home series against New Zealand and West Indies respectively.

The agreement was confirmed following a transparent tender process, which was run in line with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) overarching strategy and policy to enhance the quality of international bilateral cricket broadcasts for Pakistani fans.

This agreement ensures that the five men’s T20Is between Pakistan and New Zealand, scheduled from April 18 to April 27 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, and Pakistan women’s versus West Indies women’s series comprising three ODIs and five T20Is from April 18 to May 3 in Karachi, will be broadcast live on A Sports HD – the country’s premier HD Sports Channel.

The partnership between PCB and ARY Communications had commenced in 2022 when the country one of the most popular and influential networks won the media rights for the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The latest media rights agreement represents a significant 41 per cent increase from the previous series involving these sides.

This reflects the PCB team’s adept sales skills, ensuring maximum revenue generation from the upcoming home series that can then be reinvested into cricket development.

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“A Sports HD will serve as the primary destination for Pakistan cricket during these two exciting series, and I am thrilled to continue ARY’s longstanding partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board,” said Salman Iqbal, ARY Digital Founder and CEO.

“We have curated our content portfolio to promote premium sporting events in Pakistan, and this partnership is a crucial step in achieving our mission.”

“We are delighted to collaborate with A Sports HD for the upcoming men’s and women’s series against New Zealand and West Indies, respectively,” said Salman Naseer, PCB Chief Operating Officer.

“This partnership underscores PCB Chairman Mr Mohsin Naqvi’s vision of providing our fans with high-quality broadcasts through a fair and transparent process, thereby enhancing PCB’s brand value as a national asset.

“We are optimistic that this new milestone in our partnership will be mutually beneficial.”

A Sports HD has a successful track record of showcasing various prestigious events including the Pakistan Super League (PSL), bilateral matches featuring the Pakistan men’s team, ICC Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cups, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, South Africa’s SA20, Lanka Premier League, Major League Cricket, Canada Global T20, Abu Dhabi T10, ILT20, Fair Break Invitational T20, Formula 1, Formula E, and La Liga.

READ: Babar Azam credits Kakul fitness camp for strengthening team unity

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday, appointed Sami-ul-Hasan Burney as the Director – Media and Communications.

Burney was given the charge hours after renowned Pakistan sports journalist Aalia Rasheed stepped down from the position.

“Dear friends, I have resigned as Director Media & Communications PCB,” wrote Rasheed on X, formerly Twitter.

Dear friends, I have resigned as Director Media & Communications PCB.

— Aalia Rasheed (@aaliaaaliya) April 5, 2024

 

Sarim-ul-Hasan Burney has previously served as PCB Director Media but had relinquished his position after Zaka Ashraf took charge of the board last year.

“Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed Sami Ul Hasan Burney as the new Director – Media and Communications,” stated PCB in a brief statement, posted on X.

Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed Sami Ul Hasan Burney as the new Director – Media and Communications.

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 5, 2024

Notably, the Pakistan cricketers are currently participating in the physical fitness camp, organised in collaboration with the Pakistan Army, to prepare for the upcoming five-match home T20I series against New Zealand.

The camp commenced on March 26 and will conclude on April 8.

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New Zealand are slated to reach Pakistan on April 14 for the crucial series, leading to the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup.

Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium will host the first three T20Is between Pakistan and New Zealand on 18, 20 and 21 April.

The two sides will then travel to Lahore to lock horns in the remaining two T20Is on 25 and 27 April, respectively.

Pakistan Players taking part in the Physical fitness camp in Kakul are:

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Haseebullah, Saud Shakeel, Usman Khan, Mohammad Haris, Salman Ali Agha, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Irfan Khan Niazi, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mehran Mumtaz, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Ali, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Aamir Jamal, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Amir.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) bought a multi-storied building adjacent to the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for PKR 4 billion on Thursday.

The multi-storied building will be renovated and transformed into a seven-star hotel to accommodate international as well as local players.

This development will resolve the challenge of accommodating visiting teams and foreign players during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), who currently have to stay in local five-star hotels.

Additionally, this will shorten travelling time and eliminate traffic issues during teams’ commute from hotels to the stadium.

PCB is also working on upgrading three major stadiums, including the Gaddafi Stadium before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled in Pakistan.

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Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi, while addressing the media during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 final last month, acknowledged the need to upgrade three major stadiums, followed by the upgradation of other venues.

“Our three main venues – Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi – will be upgraded before the Champions Trophy. We will upgrade other venues later as well, once these three are done. Our stadiums will be state-of-the-art once they have been renovated,” said Chairman PCB.

Later in the same month, the chairman was presented with the plan to upgrade three major stadiums by NESPAK (National Engineering Services of Pakistan) officials.

“The chairman instructed the officials about his plans regarding the enhancement of the view for the fans from every seat in the stadium while he also emphasised the importance of renovation of the hospitality boxes at all three venues,” the PCB said in a press release.

“With the upgradation plan to be finalised soon, the Chairman instructed the NESPAK officials to start the work on stadiums immediately keeping in mind a tight window of time before hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.”

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the Inter-Club One-Day tournament, which is set to take place in April across the 16 regions in the country.

All registered cricket clubs (active and in-active) under the PCB Constitution 2014 shall be eligible to participate in the above tournament.

It is clarified that where latest scrutiny has been held after the election in 2023, that notified list will be considered as final.

Moreover, the PCB will also open the registration process for new clubs and the interested clubs may apply for fresh registration with the concerned District/Zonal Cricket Association in accordance with the provisions of Model Constitution of District/Zonal Cricket Association and may get playing rights.

The districts are tasked to finalise schedules. Initially, this will be monitored by the respective regions and later by the PCB.

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Each club will play at least three matches in the pool stage. The Inter-Club One-Day Tournament will be played as per PCB rules and regulations for One-Day matches.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi: “Club Cricket is a vital component of any national cricket structure and in Pakistan, it has a rich history of producing talented players. The PCB is committed to reviving the good old competitive culture of club cricket and engaging aspiring players at the club level. I am confident the PCB Inter-Club One-Day tournament will pay dividends and provide us with talented players.”

Abdullah Khurram Niazi, Director – Domestic Cricket Operations: “We are delighted to announce the Inter-Club One-Day tournament across the 16 regions in the country. This tournament aims to provide quality and competitive cricket to hundreds of cricket clubs nationwide. As per Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi’s vision, we look forward to arranging more than 6,000 matches in this tournament.”

READ: ICC delegation meets PCB chief after inspection for Champions Trophy

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will pay homage to its former chairman late Shaharyar Khan in a ceremony here on March 28.

Late Shaharyar Khan served as the chairman of PCB twice and also performed the duties of the manager of the national cricket team.

The deceased was also considered a skilled cricket diplomat, who also played key roles in reinstating Pakistan-India cricketing ties.

The former PCB chairman passed away earlier this week in Lahore. He was 89 at the time of his demise.

According to his family, the deceased was suffering from prolonged illness and on Saturday morning, his condition worsened, leading to his saddened demise.

The PCB offered condolence on the passing of its former chairman and stated that Shaharyar Khan will be remembered for his vital role in bringing international cricket to Pakistan.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board, through its chairman, the Board of Governors and employees, expresses deep sadness and sorrow over the passing away of former chairman PCB Shaharyar Khan earlier this morning, in Lahore. He was 89,” stated PCB in a press release.

“The PCB pays heartfelt condolences to Shaharyar Khan’s family on his sad demise and wishes to always remember him as one of the vital characters in bringing cricket back to Pakistan during the last decade,” the statement added.

The newly-appointed PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his sorrow on the demise of Shaharyar Khan and acknowledged the late’s effort in the development of the game in the country.

“On behalf of the PCB, I express my deep condolences and grief over the passing of former Chairman Shaharyar Khan. He was a fine administrator and served Pakistan Cricket with utmost dedication.

“Pakistan Cricket will stay indebted to the late Shaharyar Khan for his commendable role as head of the board and for his services in the growth and development of the game in the country.”

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reinstated the central contract of fast bowler Haris Rauf, which was terminated last month.

During a press conference on Sunday, the Chairman of PCB, Mohsin Naqvi, announced the reinstatement of Rauf’s central contract following an appeal by the pace bowler.

“We have got a letter from Haris Rauf, in which he has written that there was a misunderstanding and he made a wrong decision. After we got his letter in writing, we have restored his central contract,” Naqvi said.

“We are currently working on his injury. He is our star player and we have to look after him,” he added.

The star fast bowler is currently recovering from a shoulder injury, which he suffered during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.

However, the chairman also emphasized that no player would receive any exemptions in NOCs.

“There will be no relaxation on NOCs. We will follow policies as per the contracts. No player will be exempted. We will not be paying heed to any lobbying.”

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For the unversed, Haris Rauf was penalised by the PCB last month, following a probe into his refusal to join Pakistan’s Test squad for the tour of Australia 2023-24.

The decision came after the PCB committee conducted a hearing and allowed Rauf to explain his stance, however, his response failed to satisfy the committee.

“After a thorough hearing process conducted by a PCB committee and taking into consideration the views of all stakeholders involved in the matter, Haris’ central contract has been terminated from December 1, 2023, and no NOC (No objection certificate) to play any foreign league will be granted up to June 30, 2024,” the statement of PCB said.

“The PCB management provided a chance for a personal hearing to Haris in compliance with the principles of natural justice on 30 January 2024 and his response was found unsatisfactory.

“The PCB states that playing for Pakistan is the ultimate honour and privilege for any sportsperson.

“Refusal to be part of Pakistan’s Test squad in the absence of any medical report or justifiable reason is a material violation of the central contract.”

It is worth mentioning that the issue arose ahead of the Australian tour last year when Haris Rauf pulled out of the Test series at the last minute citing fitness concerns.

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