Tag: PCB

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan opined regarding India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for next year’s Asia Cup and advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take a strong stance on this matter.

During Tuesday’s episode of Har Lamha Purjosh – ARY News’ famous cricketing show, host Waseem Badami asked former cricketers Younis and Kamran Akmal to comment on the statement of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

In response, both former cricketers unanimously suggested that the PCB should take a strong stance on this matter and should stick to hosting the tournament regardless of India’s participation.

“I think Jay Shah should not have said that but since the bullet has been fired I would ask the PCB to take a firm stance on this issue, just like we did in the past [after New Zealand called off Pakistan’s tour at the eleventh hour] and as you know those teams have begun to tour the country,” said Younis.

“But if they [BCCI] decide to stick with their decision then it should not matter to us if the Indian team does not participate in Asia Cup and we should consider not travelling to India for the ODI World Cup the following year, nor we should agree to host Asia Cup at a neutral venue,” he maintained.

Kamran, on the other hand, echoed Younis’ comments and demanded a boycott of all matches against India, including their eagerly anticipated ICC T20 World Cup 2022 matches, which is set to take place on Sunday (October 23).

“I believe Jay Shah’s statement was unexpected, and since he attended the Pakistan-India game during this year’s Asia Cup, he should reserve politics for his opposition and avoid dragging it into sports,” Kamran said.

“Asia Cup should only be hosted in Pakistan and if that does not happen then Pakistan should not play against India at any level, be it ICC events’ matches, Asia Cup matches, or even their match on October 23,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that following the 91st BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, Shah, in his statement, announced that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023, while also hinting to host the continental event at a neutral venue.

READ: PCB writes to ACC after India refuses to tour Pakistan for Asia Cup 

LAHORE: To attract the maximum number of spectators in the stands amid the inaugural edition of the Pakistan Junior League (PJL), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allowed free entry to cricket fans.

According to the details, cricket fans can now witness the PJL fixtures in the stadium free of cost as the PCB has decided not to charge a penny from the fans.

As a result, today’s PJL fixture between Hyderabad Hunters and Bahawalpur Royals is likely to attract a significant turnout.

Cricket fans can enter the Gaddafi Stadium from Centre Point at Gulbarg.

It is pertinent to mention that the Mardan Warriors beat Gujranwala Giants by eight wickets in the curtain-raiser on Thursday.

READ: Dar’s all-round heroics help Pakistan stun India in Women’s Asia Cup

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday, announced the details of the inaugural women’s league, which will run alongside the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in March 2023.

According to the details, four city-based sides, each comprising 12 local and six foreign players, will compete on a double-league format.

The final will be a stand-alone contest between the top two teams after 12 league matches, and it will be held the day before the PSL 8 final.

The PSL 8 will take place from February 9 to March 19, 2023.

Speaking on the occasion, Ramiz claimed that the introduction of The Women’s League is aligned with the strategy of making Pakistan a stronger cricket-playing nation across all formats and genders.

“I am delighted to announce the women’s league. This league will attract young women cricketers to this great sport and help our current players further enhance their skills when they will get to share dug-outs with the overseas players. The league will feature present and past trailblazers in women’s cricket in what promises to be an exciting 13-match event.

“To amplify the coverage and promotion of this initiative, some of the matches will precede the HBL Pakistan Super League 8 matches.

“This event is aligned to our strategy of making Pakistan a stronger cricket playing nation across all formats and genders. We are not only creating attractive brands to strengthen our cricket economy, but through this tournament are also providing career opportunities to our women cricketers. The more our women cricketers will participate in high-pressure events, the more they will learn.

“The PCB is a strong proponent of empowering women to shine brighter. By engaging our women, which form 49 per cent of the country’s population, we will enhance the economic and social prosperity of our country.”

READ: Rahkeem Cornwall slams first T20 double century

NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected the proposal of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to host a bilateral Test series between arch-rivals Pakistan and India, Indian media reported.

According to English Newspaper The Telegraph, the ECB contacted Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and BCCI and offered to be a neutral venue for the much-anticipated bilateral Test series between the two rivals.

“England have offered to be a neutral host for future Pakistan-India Test series opening the possibility of the two countries playing bilateral cricket for the first time in more than 15 years,” The Telegraph claimed.

“The matches would draw huge audiences in the United Kingdom, which has a strong South Asian population, and it will also create a lot of sponsorship and television viewers,” the Telegraph explained the reason behind the offer.

The BCCI, however, has turned down the informal proposal from the English Board as according to a report citing a close source to the Indian cricket authority said the odds of a bilateral series in the foreseeable future are “next to nil.”

Meanwhile, the PCB has also taken a similar stance on the proposal and displayed reluctance to play India at a neutral venue.

“It’s an unofficial offer and nothing was accepted. PCB wishes to host India as it’s Pakistan’s turn officially,” the sources said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan and India last came face to face in a bilateral series and 2012 when Pakistan toured India for a three-match ODI and two-match T20I series, with the visiting side winning the ODI series 2-1 while the T20I series ended in a draw.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Sunday as it introduced retainers for its Supplementary Panel match officials for the first time.

As a result, each of the 23 match officials on the panel—15 umpires and 8 match referees—will be paid PKR25,000 every month throughout the 2022–23 season.

The recent move guarantees that all 43 match officials on the PCB panel are now being taken care of by the game’s governing body in Pakistan. Previously, only match officials on the international and elite panel were on retainers.

The match officials’ retainers on the elite and international panels are PKR69,575 and PKR132,250, respectively. During the cricket season, in addition to the retainers, the PCB also offers match fees (PKR 10,000 per day), daily allowances (PKR 2,500 per day), four- or five-star lodging (as available), as well as air and ground transportation, to its match officials.

As a result, a match official’s income from a four-day match can reach PKR52,000, including match day minus one daily allowance, while his earnings from a limited overs match will be PKR15,000, including match day minus one daily allowance.

Furthermore, the PCB also announced that a domestic match scorer will also receive a match fee of PKR7,500 (per day) and a daily allowance of PKR2,500, whereas, for a practice match, will receive PKR1,500 (per day) as match fee and a daily allowance of PKR2,000.

READ: Ronaldo bruised after brutal collision in Portugal match

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) raised PKR 13 millions from the gate money of the first T20I between Pakistan and England and will donate the raised amount to the PM Relief Fund to aid flood affectees in the country.

Following the heavy rainfalls and monsoon, the devastating flood wreaked havoc in the country as the one-third area of Pakistan had submerged and killed 1,191 people.

The PCB, as a result, announced to dedicate series opener of England’s historic T20I series and also to donate gate money of the first match to PM Relief Fund – set up to aid the affectees.

Pakistan players also donned specially-designed jerseys to show solidarity with flood victims which featured players’ names and jersey numbers quarterly submerged.

According to the latest development, PCB shared that PKR 13 millions have been raised from gate money of the series opener, which will be donated to PM Relief Fund.

Speaking on the occasion, the chairman PCB Ramiz Raja expressed gratitude to cricket fans for contributing in the great cause and asserted that cricket once again helped unite the entire nation.

“Cricket once again helped to unite the entire nation. We are grateful to all cricket fans for contributing to this great cause,” said Ramiz.

“The PCB stands with all flood victims,” Ramiz concluded.

The CEO of PCB Faisal Hasnain, on the other hand, termed it an ‘honour’ for PCB to make a contribution to the funds.

“Spectators in Karachi did their part to help those affected by the floods caused by the monsoon rains,” Faisal said.

“It is an honor for PCB to make a small contribution to the funds through the first T20 match,” he concluded.

READ: PFF installs GPS system at national footballers’ training camp 

KARACHI: A major setback is likely to hit the organisers of private cricket tournaments and leagues across the country as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will discuss the sanctioning of such events in its next Board of Governors (BoG) meeting.

According to a statement issued by PCB, the board has called its 70th BoG meeting here at a local hotel on Saturday.

The attendees of the meeting will discuss the progress of the upcoming inaugural edition of the Pakistan Junior League and the ongoing Domestic Cricket Season 2022-23.

Meanwhile the sanctioning of private events, approval of cricketing bylaws and updates on the BoG committee and reports are also on the agenda list for the meeting.

PCB will announce the outcomes of the meeting on Sunday.

READ: ‘One of the best atmospheres in world cricket’ Hales lauds Karachi crowd

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) provided an update on the injury status of left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman and ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

In an official statement released by the PCB, the cricket governing body in Pakistan announced that the left-handed top-order batter Fakhar will depart for the United Kingdom (UK) to undergo rehabilitation.

“Fakhar had landed awkwardly on his right knee while fielding during the ACC T20 Asia Cup final in Dubai. As per the protocols, the PCB has scheduled his medical appointments with specialists who will be providing the best medical care for his rehabilitation,” the PCB said in the statement.

“During his stay in London, the PCB will make all relevant logistical arrangements for Fakhar and he will remain under the supervision of the PCB Advisory Panel, which includes Dr Imtiaz Ahmad and Dr Zafar Iqbal,” the statement further read.

The PCB also clarified the internet conjecture around ace bowler Shaheen’s rehabilitation and issued an update on the left-arm pacer, who is expected to make a full recovery in time for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

“The PCB is also pleased to advise and update that Shaheen Shah Afridi is making excellent progress in his rehabilitation in London and is on track to make a full recovery in time for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022,” the PCB stated.

“It goes without saying that the PCB has always been and will continue to be responsible for arranging medical care and rehabilitation of all its players requiring any treatment,” the statement concluded.

READ: Indo-Pak ‘Super 4’ match becomes most-watched T20I outside WC 

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced that more than 250 local and around 175 overseas players between the age of 16 and 19 years would be available for selection by the six teams in the players’ draft scheduled here on Thursday of the inaugural edition of the Pakistan Junior League (PJL).

According to the details, only 66 local players will be selected out of the total number of available players,11 in each of the six sides.  The foreign players will vie for 24 spots, four in each side.

The first-of-its-kind T20 league will take place here from October 6 to 21 featuring six teams namely Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Gwadar, Hyderabad, Mardan and Rawalpindi. Players born on or after 1 September 2003 are eligible to participate in the inaugural edition.

The local players’ list includes the participants of two PCB-organised national U19 One-Day and three-day tournaments in the ongoing season. Players who were selected for their respective Cricket Association teams for the two U19 competitions are eligible for the draft even if they didn’t play any match.

Moreover, a total of 17 players from the PJL social media video campaign have been invited to the National High Performace Center (NHPC) in Lahore for age verification and trials. The players selected amongst them will be added to the draft list.

The players have been divided into three categories – Elite, Premier and X-factor. The Elite category includes high-profile players who have either already appeared for their national U19 team or have made an impact at the domestic level (age-group cricket) organised by an ICC Full Member cricket board.

The players have been divided into three categories – Elite, Premier and X-factor. The Elite category includes high-profile players who have either already appeared for their national U19 team or have made an impact at the domestic level (age-group cricket) organised by an ICC Full Member cricket board.

Premier includes players who have significant age-group cricket experience or have been part of pathway cricket for their boards or regions. X-factor includes Associate Member board players as well as promising local talent.

Amongst the foreign players, 105 are from ICC Full Member boards and more than 70 are from Associate Members.

Prominent foreign players: Abdullah Al Mamun (Bangladesh), Ackeem Auguste (West Indies), Ahmad Zia Zaland (Afghanistan), Ali Naseer (UAE), Anjala Bandara (Sri Lanka), Archie Lenham (England), Ariful Islam (Bangladesh), Brendon Sunguro (Zimbabwe), Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe), Burhan Niaz (Belgium), Emmanuel Bawa (Zimbabwe), Ethan Gibson (Canada), George Thomas (England), Hassan Eisakhil (Afghanistan), Huggins Machaka (Zimbabwe), Isai Thorne (West Indies), Jash Ginani (UAE),  Jishan Alam (Bangladesh), Joseph Eckland (England), Joshua Tromp (USA), Lahiru Abeysinghe (Sri Lanka), Lahiru Dawatage (Sri Lanka), Luc Martin Benkenstein (England), Luke Holt (Australia), Malsha Tharupathi (Sri Lanka), Matthew Schocken (Zimbabwe), Matthew Tromp (USA), Masood Gurbaz (Afghanistan), Musa Shaheen Mahmood (Denmark), Nathan Edwards (West Indies), Naimur Rohman Noyon (Bangladesh), Nimar Bolden (West Indies), Oliver Davidson (Scotland), Olly Cox (England), Philippus le Roux (Ireland), Prantik Nawrose Nabil (Bangladesh), Shevon Daniel (Sri Lanka), Steven Wedderburn (West Indies), Tazeem Ali (Netherlands), Vasant Singh (West Indies) and Waleed Stanikzai (Afghanistan).

READ: BCCI official says Kohli’s recent remarks over lack of support ‘not true’

LAHORE: The CEO of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Faisal Hasnain on Tuesday announced that the cricket board will take complete ownership of the Pakistan Junior League (PJL) instead of selling the teams’ rights.

In a formal statement issued by the PCB, Faisal affirmed that the PCB will fully assume ownership of the domestic league in an effort to demonstrate its higher significance, context, and permanence.

“Instead of selling team rights, the PCB has made a strategic decision to take complete ownership of the inaugural edition. This gives us the chance to present to the world and to all our valued commercial partners that this is an event that has a high value, context and is here to stay,” Faisal stated.

“While the process for the sale of other commercial inventory is ongoing and we remain confident of attracting high-quality sponsors, I want to thank all the investors who expressed their interest in procuring team naming rights. We will continue the discussions with them after the completion of the tournament, with a future aim of building a long-term relationship,” he added.

The PCB CEO then went on to confirm the names of the six teams and their mentors, while also asserting that the cricket board received tremendous interest in the PJL within and outside Pakistan.

“There is tremendous interest within and outside Pakistan about this league and we have maintained that momentum by today confirming the city names and their mentors. The six cities mirror our domestic cricket structure,” PCB quoted Faisal.

The six teams competing in this first-of-its-kind U19 domestic cricket competition are Bahawalpur (Southern Punjab), Gujranwala (Central Punjab), Gwadar (Balochistan), Hyderabad (Sindh), Mardan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), and Rawalpindi (Northern).

PCB to retain team ownership rights for the inaugural edition of PJL as sides and their mentors are confirmed.

Complete details here ⤵️https://t.co/vTSA4OM9z4 pic.twitter.com/PiTkqeJjxq

— Pakistan Junior League (@ThePJLofficial) August 30, 2022

South Africa’s legendary spinner Imran Tahir will serve as the mentor of Bahawalpur, Pakistan’s two-time ICC tournament winner Shoaib Malik will be Gujranwala’s mentor, and West Indies great Vivian Richards will be the mentor of Gwadar.

Another West Indian, Daren Sammy, a two-time ICC T20 World Cup winner will the mentor for Hyderabad, 2009 T20 World Cup winner and star all-rounder Shahid Afridi will be the mentor of Mardan, while the explosive New Zealand batter Colin Munro will be the team mentor of Rawalpindi.

Javed Miandad, a former captain of Pakistan and PCB Hall of Famer, will serve as the roaming umbrella mentor, supporting and guiding all the parties.

The PCB further stated that the players’ draft for the PJL, which will be played on a single-league basis, will take place in Lahore on September 6.

More than 140 players from Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, Ireland, Nepal, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Scotland, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates have completed their registrations for the tournament.

The first-of-its-kind T20 league will take place here from October 6 to 21. Players born on or after 1 September 2003 are eligible to participate in the inaugural edition.

READ: PCB reveals ticket prices for England’s historic tour after 17 years