Tag: PCB

LAHORE: Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Sunday announced a seven-member National Cricket Selection Committee.

During a press conference, Naqvi announced the reorganised selection committee, with each member having equal powers and no chairman of the committee.

“We have reorganised this selection committee, the committee will consist of seven members, but what is different this time is there will be no chairman selection committee, each member would have the same power as the other one,” Naqvi said.

The former chairman Wahab Riaz is joined by former cricketers Abdul Razzaq, Wahab Riaz and Asad Shafiq in the selection committee. Meanwhile, the captain, head coach and an analyst will also be part of the committee.

“The decision would be [decided] on the majority, they should debate, and talk amongst themselves so a better conclusion can be reached.

“The previous structure of the committee was different, but this one, I assure you every member was chosen after considering multiple factors.

“The selection committee will make all the decisions going forward. I have conveyed that the chairman will not be involved in any decisions regarding the selection.

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“I back this selection committee and believe that they will produce desirable results”

He also announced that the committee would also be responsible for the appointment of the captain.

“The matter of captaincy is being deliberated upon. I believe that the captain is the selection committee’s prerogative,” said Mohsin Naqvi.

“They are working on it and I am sure they will finalise their decision after the camp is completed.”

“I am not a cricket expert, the people sitting next to me are experts. Decisions regarding cricket will be made by cricket experts.”

Notably, PCB dissolved the National Cricket Selection Committee earlier today.

The development came after sources revealed on March 18 that the PCB will further empower the committee with full authority.

The first assignment of the new selection committee is to select the squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on 18 April.

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The former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Shaharyar Khan, 89, passed away earlier this morning, in Lahore.

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

The body of the deceased will be transported to Karachi via air ambulance. His funeral will be held at his residence in Karachi on Sunday.

He served as the Chairman of PCB for two different terms, from December 2003 to October 2006 and from August 2014 to August 2017.

Shaharyar Khan also worked as team manager of the Pakistan National Men’s team during the 1999 tour of India and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003.

The PCB offered condolence on the passing of its former chairman and stated that 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.”

READ: PCB delegation visits Iqbal Stadium as upgradation on the cards

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) delegation featuring COO Salman Naseer and Chief Selector Wahab Riaz visited Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium on Friday.

According to the details, the delegation made a visit to the Iqbal Stadium as per the instruction of the newly-appointed PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The delegation was instructed by the PCB head to analyze the condition of the stadium and the facilities there which may pave the way for its upgradation.

For the unversed, Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium has not hosted a single international, domestic or franchise league match since the return of international cricket to Pakistan.

The Stadium last hosted an international match in 2008.

Earlier this week, PCB Chairman Naqvi was presented with the plan to upgrade three major stadiums.

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The development came after Naqvi previously announced that the major stadiums of the country would undergo upgradation before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi called on the NESPAK (National Engineering Services of Pakistan) officials in a follow-up meeting on the upgradation of the three major venues in Pakistan,” the PCB said in a press release.

“COO PCB, Salman Naseer, Director Infrastructure PCB Nasir Hameed and GM NESPAK were also in attendance during this meeting.

“The initial designs for the immediate upgradation of Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, National Bank Stadium, Karachi and Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi were presented to the Chairman PCB in the form of a presentation.

“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.

“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.”

Mohsin Naqvi, while addressing the media at the National Bank Stadium on Monday night, following the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9, 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.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi was presented with the plan to upgrade three major stadiums on Wednesday.

The development came after Naqvi previously announced that the major stadiums of the country would undergo upgradation before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi called on the NESPAK (National Engineering Services of Pakistan) officials in a follow-up meeting on the upgradation of the three major venues in Pakistan,” the PCB said in a press release.

“COO PCB, Salman Naseer, Director Infrastructure PCB Nasir Hameed and GM NESPAK were also in attendance during this meeting.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced umpire and match referee appointments for the three playoff matches as well as the final of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.

The final four games of the PSL 9 will be played from 14-18 March at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

The first Qualifier will be played on 14 March involving table-toppers Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi and will be refereed by Roshan Mahanama.

Aleem Dar and Richard Illingworth will be the on-field umpires, while Rashid Riaz and Faisal Afridi will be the third and fourth umpires, respectively.

Match Referee Muhammad Javed will lead the playing control team for the 15 March Eliminator 1 between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators.

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Ahsan Raza and Chris Gaffaney will be the on-field umpires, while Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz will be the third and fourth umpires, respectively.

Meanwhile, Eliminator 2 will be played on 16 March featuring the loser of the 14 March match and the winner of the 15 March fixture will be refereed by Muhammad Javed.

Richard Illingworth and Asif Yaqoob will perform on-field umpire responsibilities, while Ahsan Raza and Faisal Afridi will be the third and fourth umpires, respectively.

For the final of the PSL 9, scheduled on 18 March, Richard Illingworth and Chris Gaffaney will perform the duties of on-field umpires, while Ahsan Raza and Asif Yaqoob will be third and fourth umpires, respectively.

Roshan Mahanama will lead the playing control team for the final.

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LAHORE: The affairs of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been transferred from Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) to Cabinet Division, ARY News reported on Monday.

According to a notification issued today, the cricketing body will now run directly under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and will no longer be answerable to the Ministry of IPC.

Furthermore, the notification stated that the IPC Secretary will not be a member of PCB’s Board of Governors.

The development came after Mohsin Naqvi was elected unopposed as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman.

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The elections were held at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore, where Punjab’s caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi was elected unopposed as the 37th chief of the PCB. Naqvi will serve as Pakistan Cricket Board chairman for three years.

Following the resignation of Zaka Ashraf as PCB chairman, caretaker PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar appointed Shah Khawar as the election commissioner of the Cricket Board.

In January, after serving for at least seven months as PCB Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf stepped down from his position.

In a statement, Ashraf said he was working for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.

However, expressing disappointment over the working conditions, he said he was unable to work amid such circumstances. “It’s not the prime minister’s prerogative to nominate new chairman,” he added.

READ: Carlos Brathwaite, Sikandar Raza join Lahore Qalandars for PSL 9

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has commented on the decision of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to not continue with former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez as the team director.

Vaughan took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to express his opinion on the situation while responding to Hafeez’s post.

“You were doing a really good job .. Madness why they wouldn’t want you to carry on !!!,” Vaughan posted.

You were doing a really good job .. Madness why they wouldn’t want you to carry on !!! https://t.co/xTRwJnLTSd

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 16, 2024

Vaughan and Hafeez were famously involved in an online rift during the ICC World Cup 2023 in India.

For the unversed, the PCB in an official statement on Thursday, announced that it has parted ways with Hafeez.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board extends heartfelt gratitude to Mohammad Hafeez, Director Pakistan men’s cricket team, for his invaluable contributions,” the statement read.

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Hafeez then took to his official X account and revealed that he was given the role for a four-month period which was cut short to two months instead.

He further asserted that he would “reveal all the cricketing and other amateur non-cricketing facts which ensure bad performances”.

“I always prioritised and represented Pakistan with dignity and pride. I accepted the new role as a Director PCB with great passion to make positive reforms but unfortunately my designated tenure which was offered by [PCB] for 4 years was cut short for 2 months on the account of new chairmanship,” wrote Hafeez.

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Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez opened up after parting ways with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the Director of the Pakistan Men’s Team.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Hafeez revealed that he was given the role for a four-month period which was cut short to months instead.

He further asserted that he would “reveal all the cricketing and other amateur non-cricketing facts which ensure bad performances”.

“I always prioritised and represented Pakistan with dignity and pride. I accepted the new role as a Director PCB with great passion to make positive reforms but unfortunately my designated tenure which was offered by [PCB] for 4 years was cut short for 2 months on the account of new chairmanship,” wrote Hafeez.

“Best wishes for Pakistan cricket future. As always, I foremost take responsibility and put myself accountable for all my executions in my given time and will accordingly reveal all the cricketing and other amateur non cricketing facts which ensue bad performances. Stay tuned,” he added.

I always Prioritise and represented Pakistan with dignity and Pride. I accepted the new role as a Director pcb with great passion to make positive reforms but Unfortunately my designated tenure which was offered by @TheRealPCB for 4 years was cut short for 2 mnths on the account…

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) February 16, 2024

Notably, in an official statement, released Thursday, the cricketing body revealed that it has parted ways with Hafeez.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board extends heartfelt gratitude to Mohammad Hafeez, Director Pakistan men’s cricket team, for his invaluable contributions,” the statement read.

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For the unversed, Mohammad Hafeez replaced Mickey Arthur as the Director of the Pakistan Men’s Team in November, following Pakistan’s failure to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2023, held in India.

In his first assignment, Pakistan toured Australia for a three-match Test series and suffered a clean sweep, extending their losing streak Down Under.

Pakistan also lost to New Zealand 4-1 in the five-match T20I series.

READ: Haris Rauf’s central contract terminated by PCB

LAHORE: Fast bowler Haris Rauf has been penalised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), 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 Haris 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.”

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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.

Wahab Riaz, while announcing the squad, told during the press conference that Haris Rauf was in the plans for the Test series against Australia, however, he changed his mind at the last minute.

“We spoke to Haris Rauf about this tour, and he gave his consent to participate in the Test series. However, he changed his mind later and opted to back out of the series,” Wahab Riaz said.

Wahab Riaz further explained the reason for Haris Rauf opting to stay out and his fitness condition.

“He was worried about fitness issues and workload, although we gave him assurances that we would facilitate him and accept any potential failures,” said Riaz.

“Our physio said he has no injury concerns. He is only fatigued, but we could have managed him well. However, he pulled out and is unavailable for this tour.”

Notably, Haris Rauf has represented Pakistan in a single test against England in the home Test series in 2022, where he picked his only Test wicket.

READ: PCB part ways with Director Cricket Mohammad Hafeez after a short stint