PCB Archives

Babar Azam resumes training in Lahore after returning home

LAHORE: Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has resumed training in Lahore after a brief stay in the United States following the ODI series against the West Indies.

On Friday, Babar hit the nets at a local cricket institute, where he also engaged in batting drills alongside young cricketers.

Sources indicate the right-hander could feature in a local tournament hosted by the institute as part of his preparations.

The 30-year-old endured a lean run in the recent ODI series in the Caribbean, managing only 56 runs in three outings, with a top score of 47.

This form slump comes amid a challenging phase in his career. He was left out of Pakistan’s announced T20I squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, while his central contract was downgraded from Category A to B.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Last week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled central contracts for 30 men’s cricketers, notably omitting Category A altogether. Instead, ten players each have been placed in Categories B, C, and D.

The pool has also been expanded from 27 to 30, with 12 new inclusions: Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, and Sufiyan Muqeem.

The newly announced contracts will remain valid from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

List of this year’s centrally contacted players:

Category B (10 players): Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Category C (10 players): Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Sajid Khan, and Saud Shakeel.

Category D (10 players): Ahmed Daniyal, Hussain Talat, Khurram Shahzad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Shan Masood, and Sufiyan Muqeem.

READ: Ravichandran Ashwin opens up on sudden retirement from international cricket

PCB reschedules women’s cricketers’ trials in Karachi due to heavy rain

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) talent Hunt trials for Women’s U19 and Emerging Cricketers in Karachi have been rescheduled amid heavy rain.

Earlier, these trials were slated for Thursday, 21 August, but due to persistent rain, the trial date has been changed.

“The rescheduled trials are set to take place on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centreِ,” the PCB said in a statement.

“The trials schedule for the rest of the country remains the same,” the cricket board added.

According to the cricket board’s press release, players born on or after September 1, 2006, are eligible to participate in the U19 trials, while there is no cutoff date for the Emerging players.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The minimum age for U19 players has been sanctioned to 12.

The U-19 trials are being conducted to select the next set of youth players, who will be nurtured for the future.

Following the conclusion of that tournament a Pakistan U19 squad will also be assembled which is scheduled to tour Bangladesh later this year.

The National women’s selection committee, comprising former Pakistan women’s player Batool Fatima and former Test cricketer Asad Shafiq, will conduct the trials across all the cities with the assistance of respective regional coaches.

The Players participating in the trials must bring either a B-form, CNIC, or a Birth Certificate issued by NADRA for age verification.

Updated Schedule for PCB Talent Hunt Programme :

25 August LCCA ground, Lahore

26 August Rawalpindi cricket stadium, Rawalpindi

27 August Qayyum Stadium, Peshawar

28 August, Mardan board cricket ground, Mardan

28 August Bugti Stadium, Quetta

2 September Inzamam-ul-Haq High-Performance Centre, Multan

2 September, Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre, Karachi

3 September Women’s Sports Stadium, Bahawalpur

READ: Mohammad Rizwan set to join St Kitts and Nevis Patriots for CPL remainder

Babar Azam, Rizwan demoted as PCB announces central contracts for 2025-26 season

LAHORE: Star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were demoted as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced central contracts for the 2025-26 international season on Monday.

A total of 30 male cricketers have been awarded central contracts that will be effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

Notably, unlike previous years, no player has been selected for Category A in this cycle. Instead, this year’s roster sees ten players each placed in Categories B, C, and D.

Compared to last year’s list of 27 contracted players, the PCB has expanded the pool to 30, including 12 fresh additions, highlighting the emergence of promising new talent and the Board’s strategic focus on squad depth and future development.

The new entrants in the central contract list are Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

According to the PCB, five players have earned promotion in the central contracts for the upcoming season owing to their performances last year.

They are Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan, all of whom have been promoted from the C to the B category.

Additionally, nine players, including Shaheen Shah Afridi in Category B, have retained their positions in the same categories.

Abdullah Shafique, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Saud Shakeel were retained in Category C, while Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, and Mohammad Wasim Jnr were retained in Category D.

Eight players have missed out on contracts this year. They are Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan, all of whom were in Category (D).

Central Contracts for the 2025-26 season

List of this year’s centrally contacted players:

Category B (10 players): Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Category C (10 players): Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sahibzada Farhan, Sajid Khan, and Saud Shakeel.

Category D (10 players): Ahmed Daniyal, Hussain Talat, Khurram Shahzad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Shan Masood, and Sufyan Moqim.

READ: Abdul Samad opens up after powering Pakistan Shaheens to victory

Two-tier Test system faces growing opposition amid financial concerns

The future of the proposed two-tier Test system is uncertain amid growing resistance from several full-member nations.

Last month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) formed a team to propose recommendations for saving the longest form of the game amid a packed cricket schedule.

The debate over the two-tier Test system has persisted for over 15 years, with the ICC indicating its support for the concept as early as 2009. However, full members remain divided on the issue for various reasons.

The revamped Two-tier Test system will involve an expansion from the present nine-team format to two divisions of six.

A week earlier, The England Cricket Board (ECB) raised his concerns on the revamped Test structure.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“We wouldn’t want, as England, if we go through a fallow period, to fall into Division Two and not play Australia or India. That simply couldn’t happen. Common sense needs to prevail,” ECB chair Thomson told BBC’s Test Match Special.

Now, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has also shared its views on the two-tier Test system.

According to a report published on an international sports website, CWI highlighted concerns regarding finances for overhauling the Test structure.

“The CWI does not have a position as we have not held any discussion or seen any specifics (on two-tier championship) other than public speculation.

Our position relates to the financial model that underpins Test and other bilateral international cricket, which we do not believe is fit for purpose and which would have to be a major part of any overhaul,” West Indies board CEO Chris Dehring told the website.

According to the report, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly opposed the model at the recently held ICC meetings in Singapore.

“The Test schedule of the ICC is locked for the next two years. So it is too premature to discuss this,” the website quoted a PCB spokesman.

READ: Manchester City’s Grealish to join Everton on loan: reports

Amir, Imad and Naseem among seven players granted NOCs for franchise leagues

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted no-objection certificates (NOCs) to Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, and Naseem Shah to feature in the various franchise leagues.

The board announced the NOCs in a press release, confirming the issuance of NOCs to seven players for participation in franchise leagues around the globe.

The duo of Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who retired last December, have been issued NOCs to participate in The Hundred competition, currently underway in England.

Both players will represent Northern Superchargers in the ongoing season.

Amir and Imad, who are the first players from Pakistan this year to participate in The Hundred. They will replace Australian pacer Ben Dwarshius and New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner, both of whom are injured.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Besides the duo, pacer Naseem Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed were also issued the NOCs to feature in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Additionally, Faheem Ashraf and Khusdil Shah have also been granted NOCs to feature in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025.

Sharjeel Khan, the southpaw who last played for Pakistan at the international level in 2021, received an NOC to take part in the Top End T20 Series in Australia.

List of players granted NOCs

Imad Wasim – The Hundred (7 Aug 2025-10 Aug 2025)

Mohammad Amir – The Hundred (7 Aug 2025-10 Aug 2025)

Sharjeel Khan – Top End T20 Series in Australia 2025 (15 Aug 2025-25 Aug 2025)

Mohammad Amir – CPL 2025 (15 Aug 2025-22 Sep 2025)

Naseem Shah – CPL 2025 (15 Aug 2025-22 Sep 2025)

Iftikhar Ahmed – CPL 2025 (14 Aug 2025-21 Sep 2025)

Khushdil Shah – BPL (1 Dec 2025-15 Jan 2026)

Faheem Ashraf – BPL (1 Dec 2025-15 Jan 2026)

READ: Babar Azam eyes major milestone during West Indies ODIs

PCB provisionally suspends Haider Ali amid ongoing investigation

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provisionally suspended middle-order batter Haider Ali following an incident that reportedly occurred during the Pakistan Shaheen’s recent tour of England.

According to the report, the board has been informed of an ongoing criminal investigation currently being conducted by the police against Haider Ali.

“The PCB has been made aware of a criminal investigation currently being conducted by the Greater Manchester Police involving cricketer Haider Ali,” the board said in a statement.

“The investigation pertains to an incident that reportedly occurred during the Pakistan Shaheens’ recent tour of England,” it added.

The PCB mentioned additional steps to provide legal support to safeguard Haider Ali’s rights.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“In line with its duty of care and responsibility to ensure the welfare and legal rights of all its players, the PCB has ensured that Haider Ali has received appropriate legal support to protect his rights throughout this process,” the board said.

The board further stated that it fully respects the legal procedures and processes of the United Kingdom and acknowledges the need for the investigation to unfold properly.

As a result, Haider Ali is under immediate provisional suspension pending the outcome of the current investigation.

Notably, the 24-year-old has represented Pakistan in two ODIs and 35 T20 Internationals, with his last appearance for the Green Shirts coming in 2023 against Afghanistan during the Asian Games.

READ: Shahid Afridi reveals key factors behind Pakistan’s decline in Test cricket

WCL: Pakistan Champions owner criticizes PCB’s ‘blanket ban’ decision

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan Champions owner Kamil Khan has reacted to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) recent decision, which bars his franchise from using the country’s name in future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL).

Khan expressed his disappointment regarding the “blanket ban” announced by the PCB following its 79th Board of Governors (BoG) meeting.

The cricket board released a strong statement on Sunday, criticizing the WCL organizers for their “double standards and politically motivated behavior.”

This decision was made after the India Champions refused to play against the Pakistan Champions during the WCL 2025, due to the ongoing political tensions between the two countries.

India pulled out of two scheduled matches, a group-stage encounter and the high-stakes semi-final, both of which were called off without a ball being bowled.

Points were shared in the group game, while Pakistan advanced to the final via a walkover in the semi-final.

However, the final saw Pakistan Champions fall short once again, suffering a nine-wicket defeat to South Africa Champions, their second successive runners-up finish in the tournament.

Despite the disappointment, Kamil Khan remained upbeat about his side’s overall campaign and strongly defended the team’s identity.

“Just like the first season, Pakistan Champions performed really well in the second season too,” he said while speaking to the media in Birmingham.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t win the final, which we really wanted to, and millions of Pakistanis were hoping for it as well.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“But the team played well throughout. One bad day doesn’t make a team bad. Losing one final doesn’t mean the Pakistan Champions is over.”

Reacting to the PCB’s ban, Kamil made it clear that his team will return and continue to exist independently of the cricket board’s jurisdiction.

“We’ve seen reports that Pakistan Champions won’t be back, but I don’t know where that’s come from. If it’s from the PCB, then I’m not sure why,” he stated.

“This is our own team. I own it. It’s a private league, and I am the owner. PCB does not own the team. There are so many private leagues around the world; no one can stop us from naming our team after our country. Pakistan is our pride.”

Kamil Khan further revealed that the participation of Pakistani players in WCL 2025 was fully approved by the cricket board, as NOCs were obtained prior to the event.

“We took NOCs from the PCB for all the players,” he shared.

“In fact, we also met with Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was supportive and helpful. I’m thankful to him for backing Pakistan Champions.”

He stressed that the team’s name was chosen to represent national pride, not to exploit official branding, and clarified that there was no infringement involved.

“There was no contact from the PCB before or after the tournament,” Kamil said.

“This is our national identity. We named the team accordingly. We didn’t use PCB’s logo or any of their branding, only their players, and that too after securing official clearance.”

READ: Pakistan’s star players join Northern Superchargers for The Hundred 2025

PCB provides update on Mohammad Wasim Jr’s injury

LAHORE: Fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr. has resumed training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore after recovering from the side strain that ruled him out of Pakistan’s recent tours of Bangladesh and the West Indies.

According to PCB sources, the 23-year-old has cleared all fitness tests and is now taking part in full-fledged training sessions under the supervision of the high-performance staff.

He is also focusing on refining his bowling action, a key area identified as a contributing factor to his repeated injury concerns.

The adjustments, aimed at reducing physical strain and improving long-term durability, are being closely monitored by medical and coaching personnel at the NCA.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For the unversed, Mohammad Wasim Jr. sustained the injury during the latter stages of the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 while representing Quetta Gladiators.

Despite initial medical advice recommending a week’s rest, his recovery took longer than expected, forcing him out of the Bangladesh T20Is and the ongoing West Indies tour.

The right-arm pacer had earlier featured in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year, playing two games and picking up a solitary wicket.

Despite his fitness struggles, Wasim delivered a solid PSL 10 campaign, finishing with 10 wickets in eight matches at an average of 20.80 and a tidy economy rate of 7.38, playing a crucial role in Quetta’s journey to the final.

READ: Babar Azam, Rizwan reach Florida to join Pakistan squad for West Indies ODIs

PCB issues statement regarding Shaheen Afridi on West Indies tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday issued a statement regarding ace pacer Shaheen Afridi amid the West Indies tour.

The PCB addressed the reports attributed to pacer Shaheen Afridi’s rift with captain Salman Agha and deemed it “baseless, fabricated, and defamatory”.

“The PCB affirms that no such incident has occurred at any point during training or practice sessions.

These malicious rumours are entirely fictitious and appear to have been deliberately concocted with clear malafide intent to sow discord within the national squad,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.

The cricket board termed the rumours an attempt to undermine the cohesion, morale, and reputation of the Pakistan national team.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

According to the PCB, the rumours about a dispute between Shaheen Afridi and Salman Agha were aimed at damaging the professional integrity of the players and the team.

“The PCB will be initiating stringent legal proceedings, including but not limited to defamation and cybercrime charges, against the individuals and/or entities responsible for originating and disseminating this false narrative,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said.

“The PCB remains committed to protecting its players, staff, and the sanctity of the national team from unwarranted and harmful speculation,” it concluded.

It is worth noting here that Shaheen Afridi is part of Pakistan’s squad for the T20I and ODI series against the West Indies.

The T20I series is scheduled to begin on August 1 with the first game at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Florida.

The national side will then face the hosts on August 3 in the second game at the same venue, while the final game is scheduled for August 4.

READ: WCL owner breaks silence on India’s refusal to play Pakistan

PCB unveils three-tier departmental structure for 2025-26 domestic season

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Tuesday, introduced a three-tier departmental structure for the 2025-26 domestic season.

The new system, set to run from August 2025 to May 2026, features more than 40 departments split across three divisions: Grade I, Grade II, and the newly introduced Grade III, a first in the structure’s history.

Aimed at adding competitiveness and clarity to progression, the reformed model includes promotion and relegation between all three tiers.

The season will span first-class, List A, three-day, and two-day formats, offering players varied exposure across formats.

Grade-III will see two-day matches scheduled in March-April 2026. Teams were slotted into this division based on their performances in the 2024-25 President’s Trophy Grade-II.

The top two Grade-III teams will earn promotion, while the bottom two from Grade-II will be relegated in the next domestic season.

The Grade-II circuit, featuring 14 teams, including 12 top performers from last season and two relegated from Grade-I, will compete in three-day matches from March to May 2026.

President’s Trophy Grade-II Teams: Ahmed Glass, Ghani Institute, JDW Sugar Mills, Kingsmen, MIT Solutions, PAF, PHA Rawalpindi, Port Qasim, Railways, Sardar Group, Vital Tea, Wing 999 Sports, along with HEC and Eshaal Associates.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Grade-I departments will kick off the season with the 50-over President’s Cup in November–December, followed by the first-class President’s Trophy. The same eight teams will feature in both events.

Grade-I Participants: Ghani Glass, KRL, OGDCL, PTV, Sahir Associates, SBP, SNGPL, and WAPDA.

While the President’s Cup will consist of 31 List A matches, the President’s Trophy will feature 29 red-ball fixtures and wrap up in January 2026.

Bottom two teams from Grade I will be demoted, with Grade II’s best two earning promotion for the next season, ensuring constant competition and mobility.

The PCB also confirmed plans for a standalone 50-over competition for Grade-II sides next year’s domestic season, further broadening the domestic calendar.

Additionally, the board is encouraging departments to form women’s teams as part of its initiative to strengthen the women’s cricketing ecosystem, with further details expected soon.

PCB’s Director of Domestic Cricket Operations, Abdullah Khurram Niazi, hailed the development as a long-term investment in Pakistan’s cricketing future.

“Departmental cricket has become the backbone of our domestic season for the third consecutive year. This three-tier model incentivises performance, ensures competitiveness, and provides over 400 players the opportunity to represent their institutions on a national stage.”

READ: Bangladesh spinner expresses readiness for Test captaincy