Tag: PCB

Mohammad Hafeez, who was working in the role of Director of the Pakistan Men’s Team, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) parted ways on Thursday.

PCB extended gratitude, in an official statement, to the former captain for his contribution to the team in the role of director since November 2023.

“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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The cricketing body bid adieu to the former all-rounder with best wishes for his future.

“Hafeez’s passion for the game has inspired players and his mentorship during the tour of Australia and New Zealand have been of immense importance. The PCB wishes Hafeez good luck and success in his future endeavours,” the statement added.

The Pakistan Cricket Board extends heartfelt gratitude to Mohammad Hafeez, Director Pakistan men’s cricket team, for his invaluable contributions. Hafeez's passion for the game has inspired players and his mentorship during the tour of Australia and New Zealand have been of… pic.twitter.com/AM4IKbm0vB

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 15, 2024

 

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.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former Test all-rounder Yasir Arafat as the High-Performance Coach of the Pakistan Cricket Team today.

Yasir Arafat will be part of Pakistan’s team management for the upcoming five T20Is against New Zealand scheduled from 12 to 21 January 2024 in New Zealand.

Pakistan cricket team is currently in Australia for the three-match Test series, where they lost the first Test by a huge margin of 360 runs in Perth, while the second Test is underway in Melbourne.

Australia scored 187-3 on the first day of the second Test against Pakistan at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with Marnus Labuschagne (44) and Travis Head (9) on the crease.

Hasan Ali, Aamir Jamal and Salman Ali Agha picked one wicket each for Pakistan.

The second Test was interrupted by rain in the latter half of the day, consequently allowing only 66 overs of play.

Ghulam Fatima and Nashra Sandhu returned with figures of 2-59 each for Pakistan, while Umm-e-Hani also bagged one wicket.

In response, the Pakistan women’s team lost their first two wickets with only 37 runs on the scoreboard.

However, Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz helped their side stabilize with a partnership of 101 runs for the third wicket before Jessica Kerr caught and bowled Riaz.

Riaz scored a cautious 44 off 84, featuring four boundaries.

Maroof was then joined by captain Fatima Sana and they added a quick 35 runs for the fourth wicket but Fran Jonas ended Maroof’s stay at a total of 173.

Maroof top-scored for the Pakistan women’s team with 68 runs from 86 balls with the help of five boundaries.

Sana also departed soon after a 36-run knock from 33 balls, followed by Natalia Pervaiz’s cameo of 26 off 23.

Najiha Alvi held on her end amid falling wickets and was required to score eight runs from the last over with only one wicket in hand.

But she managed to get only seven, ending the match in a tie which enforced the super over.

Alvi scored an unbeaten 26 from 29 balls with only one boundary.

Lea Tahuhu and Amelia Kerr picked two wickets each for New Zealand.

Pakistan’s Bismah Maroof was adjudged player of the match, while Amelia Kerr was awarded player of the series.

LAHORE: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday met with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Kakar appreciated the measures undertaken by the PCB management committee and expressed his support.

PM Kakar also urged the PCB Chairman Management Committee Zaka Ashraf to expand PCB’s outreach to remote regions of the country.

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PM Kakar also expressed support for the organisation of the ninth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL). Addressing concerns about potential scheduling clashes with election day, he said adjustments to the HBL PSL matches should be made to prevent any interference with the voting process.

Emphasising the significance of fostering stronger bonds with other cricket boards, PM Kakar commended PCB’s efforts and stressed the importance of enhancing relations with boards like Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

PM Kakar urged the PCB to collaborate closely with stakeholders and security agencies in preparation for the successful hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

He reiterated the government’s support for the PCB’s initiatives aimed at fostering cricket across all levels within the country.

READ: Mohammad Hafeez expresses disappointment over slow wicket in Canberra

LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah started the final stage of his rehabilitation today at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore on Wednesday.

The young pacer was injured during the Asia Cup 2023 match against India in September as walked off the field during the 46th over of India’s innings on the reserve day.

Later, the PCB confirmed that Naseem Shah had been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 and was replaced by Zaman Khan in the Pakistan squad.

Consequently, he was ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023 and Hasan Ali was included in Pakistan’s World Cup squad.

Later, Naseem Shah underwent surgery in the United Kingdom. Following the surgery, he remained in the UK for two months for rehabilitation and initial training as the PCB covered his medical costs and he received continuous care from a team of expert medical staff.

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Naseem’s rehabilitation is being continued at NCA, Lahore under the care of a strength and conditioning coach, a physiotherapist and a doctor. Currently, he is doing light gym exercises and partial bowling practice and will start batting tomorrow.

Notably, Naseem Shah was traded last week from Quetta Gladiators to Islamabad United for Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Abrar Ahmed ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine draft.

The PSL Player Draft for the ninth season will take place at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on 13 December 2023.

The retentions and trades are to be finalized before the PSL 9 Player Draft, after the conclusion of the National T20.

READ: Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s blitz powers Deccan Gladiators to a thumping victory

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed the appointment of former Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Salman Butt as consultant members to chief selector Wahab Riaz.

The three have assumed their responsibilities in the selection panel with immediate effect.

Their first assignment as consultant members to the chief selector includes the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, set to commence on 12 January 2024 following the conclusion of the Test tour to Australia.

When not engaged in selection duties, the consultant members may be assigned additional tasks such as conducting skills camps.

Kamran Akmal, in a 15-year career from 2002 to 2017, played 53 Tests, 157 ODIs and 58 T20Is.

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The former wicketkeeper-batter amassed 6,871 runs across formats and bagged 453 dismissals behind the stumps.

He was a member of the Pakistan team that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 at Lord’s, along with his fellow consultants Rao Iftikhar and Salman Butt.

Rao Iftikhar played a Test, 62 ODIs and two T20Is from 2004 to 2010 and took a total of 78 international wickets.

Former Test captain Salman Butt represented Pakistan in 33 Tests, 78 ODIs and 24 T20Is.

He made 5,209 runs spanning the three formats with 11 international centuries.

Notably, former fast bowler Wahab Riaz was appointed as the chief selector of the national men’s selection committee last month.

Wahab Riaz in his first assignment selected Pakistan’s 18-member Test squad for the three-match Test series against Australia from 14 December to 7 January in Australia.

Wahab, who made his international debut in 2008, represented Pakistan in 27 Tests, 91 ODIs and 36 T20Is picking up 237 wickets and scoring 1200 runs across the three formats.

He was Pakistan’s second-most successful bowler in World Cups, registering 35 wickets across three editions of the marquee event.

READ: India announce three different captains for multi-format South Africa series

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to upgrade the category of newly appointed Test captain Shan Masood in the central contract list from D to B.

The decision has been made in line with the board’s policy that if a centrally contracted player below A or B categories is appointed captain, their contract shall be upgraded to category B for the tenure of their captaincy.

34-year-old Shan Masood was named Test captain on 15 November 2023, until the conclusion of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.

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The left-handed batter has featured in 30 Tests, amassing 1,597 runs and will lead Pakistan in his first assignment as captain in the upcoming three-match series against Australia, commencing from 14 December.

Pakistan team will kick off the Test series with the first Test in Perth from 14-18 December 2023.

The second Test match will be played in Melbourne, from 26 to 30 December, while Sydney will host the last game of the tour from 3 to 7 January 2024.

Pakistan squad for the tour of Australia

Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi

READ: PSL 9 Player Draft to take place on December 13

The caretaker federal cabinet has given a three-month extension to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman, led by Zaka Ashraf.

According to the notification issued by the Inter-Provincial Coordination Ministry after the approval from the cabinet, the powers of the PCB Management Committee have been restricted.

The notification states that the PCB Management Committee cannot make any high-level appointments, the Management Committee will conduct the election of the Board of Governors and the Chairman.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

The Management Committee will deal with day-to-day affairs and cannot make policy decisions.

The notification also states that the PCB Management Committee will not get an extension beyond three months

Ashraf-led PCB Management Committee was formed in July 2023 for a four-month period, and the caretaker PM, using his prerogative as patron of the PCB, has given a three-month extension, said the PCB.

On Thursday, former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi met with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar to discuss various aspects concerning Pakistan’s cricket.

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During their meeting, Afridi, who previously captained the national team, shared his insights and recommendations aimed at elevating the state of the game in the country.

Shahid Afridi expressed his interest in grooming young cricketers into future stars and positively shaping them into well-rounded representatives of Pakistan cricket.

He also admired and appreciated Mr Zaka Ashraf’s efforts and contributions to Pakistan cricket.

Notably, PM Kakar encouraged Afridi to actively contribute to the enhancement of cricket, particularly focusing on matters pertaining to its improvement.

READ: Pakistan sanctioned for slow over-rate against New Zealand

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the crowd’s actions at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during the Pakistan-India clash in World Cup 2023.

In a statement issued on X (formerly Twitter), the PCB said the board has filed a complaint regarding ‘inappropriate conduct’ targeted at the Pakistan players during the India vs Pakistan match held on 14 October 2023 in Ahmedabad stadium.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged another formal protest with the ICC over delays in visas for Pakistani journalists and the absence of a visa policy for Pakistan fans for the ongoing World Cup 2023.

The PCB has also filed a complaint regarding inappropriate conduct…

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) October 17, 2023

The stadium was jam-packed for the high-octane clash, which India ended up winning by seven wickets.

The Green Shirts received inappropriate chants from fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad throughout the game.

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was subjected to religious chants after he was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah in the first innings.

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Meanwhile, Indian lawyer Vineet Jindal filed a complaint to the ICC against Muhammad Rizwan for offering Namaz on the field and voicing support for Gaza.

Rizwan had dedicated his century to the people of Gaza after his match-winning century against Sri Lanka earlier in the ICC World Cup 2023.

This act of Rizwan caused an uproar in Indian media but ICC decided to take no action since it was done outside the field in his personal capacity.

On the other hand, the PCB also lodged a formal protest with the ICC over delays in visas for Pakistani journalists and the absence of a visa policy for Pakistan fans for the ongoing World Cup 2023.

PCB Management Committee head Zaka Ashraf had approached Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi and raised concerns over the delay in issuing visas for Pakistani fans and journalists willing to visit India for World Cup 2023.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Later, some Pakistani journalists travelled to India after receiving visas before the India vs Pakistan clash on October 14.

As far as the match is concerned, India steamrollered Pakistan by seven wickets in a lopsided blockbuster match at a heaving Narendra Modi Stadium to maintain their unblemished 50-overs World Cup record against their arch-rivals.

India got themselves in the driving seat early by bundling out their opponents for 191 inside 43 overs.

With Babar Azam (50) and Mohammad Rizwan (49) in the middle, a total of around 300 looked within Pakistan’s reach, only for them to collapse in a heap, failing to last their full 50 overs.

India’s skipper Rohit Sharma led the chase with a blistering 86, and the two-time champions eventually romped home in 30.3 overs to maintain their unbeaten record against Pakistan in the history of the tournament.

READ: PCB unveils match officials for Pakistan Women ‘A’ series