Tag: PCB

DUBAI: Zimbabwean match referee Andy Pycroft has apologised to the Pakistan cricket team captain Salman Ali Agha, and team manager over the handshake row during the India-Pakistan ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 clash on September 14.

The uncertainty over the Pakistan-UAE clash surrounded due to the handshake row during the India-Pakistan clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 1

Shortly before the delayed toss between the teams, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement.

“The ICC’s match referee, Andy Pycroft, has apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team,” the board said in a statement.

“A result of miscommunication and apologised”, the statement added.

Despite this, Andy Pycroft will remain the match referee for the Pakistan-UAE clash.

Earlier, the Pakistan team arrived at the Dubai Stadium following the PCB chief’s directives.

“We have asked the Pakistan team to depart for the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Further details to follow,” he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, PCB spokesperson Amir Mir had announced that the delayed start of the match between Pakistan and UAE in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 has been

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“The consultation process is ongoing, and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi is discussing with former chairmen Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi and on the other hand, online negotiations are also going on with Dubai.

“Immediately, the match between UAE and Pakistan has been delayed by one hour,” he said in a short press conference.

The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan remained full of drama off the field. India chased down Pakistan’s 128-run target, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav sealing the win in the 16th over.

The post-match proceedings, however, took a controversial turn as unbeaten batters Yadav and Shivam Dube bypassed the customary handshake, opting for fist bumps before walking off, leaving Pakistan players waiting.

The PCB, on Monday, wrote to both the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), calling for Pycroft’s replacement following the controversial no-handshake episode in the high-profile clash against India.

The board argued that the referee’s directive to skip the traditional handshake at the toss, as well as post-match, undermined the spirit of cricket and violated the MCC’s code of conduct.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB had stated in its letter, accusing Pycroft of failing in his responsibilities.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has doubled down on its demand for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, warning that the team will not play under his supervision.

According to board insiders, the PCB has written a second letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), adopting a hardline stance after its initial request was not entertained.

In the strongly worded response, the PCB rejected the ICC’s decision not to take action against Pycroft and labelled the inquiry into his conduct as nothing more than a formality.

Sources revealed that the board categorically stated it would boycott matches officiated by the controversial referee and maintained its stance that Pakistan’s participation hinges on Pycroft’s removal.

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The letter further argued that the ICC inquiry neither examined all aspects of the controversy nor engaged with the relevant stakeholders.

“Pakistan has urged that all concerns be fully addressed. Only after the official acceptance of our demand will Pakistan agree to play,” a PCB insider confirmed.

This development comes as Pakistan prepares to face the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their final group match on Wednesday in Dubai.

However, PCB spokesperson Aamir Mir clarified on Tuesday that consultations are still ongoing, and a final decision on Pakistan’s participation will be announced before the match.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

“The decision will be taken keeping Pakistan’s interests in mind,” Mir said.

The saga stems from the no-handshake controversy in the India clash, where both captains skipped the customary gesture at the toss, and Indian players walked off without acknowledging their rivals after the match.

The PCB has held Andy Pycroft responsible for the incident, calling his directives a breach of cricket’s spirit and traditions.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected Indian media reports claiming that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down its demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

The PCB, on Monday, wrote to both the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), calling for Pycroft’s replacement following the controversial no-handshake episode in the high-profile clash against India.

The board argued that the referee’s directive to skip the traditional handshake at the toss, as well as post-match, undermined the spirit of cricket and violated the MCC’s code of conduct.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB had stated in its letter, accusing Pycroft of failing in his responsibilities.

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While Cricbuzz reported that the ICC had rejected the request and defended Pycroft, PCB sources clarified on Tuesday that they are still awaiting an official response from the governing body.

“We have not yet received any formal reply from the ICC. We stand firm on our demand,” a PCB source said, adding that the board is considering various options if the matter remains unresolved.

The sources further stressed that Pakistan is committed to playing the game in the true spirit of sportsmanship, while reiterating Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s earlier stance that “nothing is above the country’s dignity and honour.”

READ: Ricky Ponting clears the air on viral India-Pakistan no-handshake comment

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

The PCB wrote a letter to the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on Monday, demanding the removal of Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after the handshake controversy in the India clash.

The fixture, played under a tense backdrop, witnessed unusual scenes from the start, with both captains skipping the customary handshake at the toss.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

According to the PCB, this was on the instructions of match referee Pycroft, a directive they believe went against the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s code of conduct.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB said in its letter, stressing that Andy Pycroft “failed to fulfil his responsibilities as match referee.”

However, according to a report by Cricbuzz, the ICC rejected PCB’s request and conveyed their decision formally to the cricket board on Monday night.

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“The ICC has reasoned it out, saying the ACC officials on the ground are understood to have told Pycroft that there will not be any handshake at the toss,” the report stated.

“The ICC letter cleared the air and refuted Pakistan’s belief that the match referee was acting on behalf of the Indian team.”

Meanwhile, ARY News has reported that Pycroft is unlikely to officiate in any matches for Pakistan during the tournament and will be replaced by West Indian Richie Richardson.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced women’s domestic contracts for 65 players, including 23 U19 & Emerging players for the season 2025-26.

The contracts, for the first time, have been categorised into Gold and Silver, with 20 and 45 players awarded, respectively. They will run from July 2025 to June 2026, during which a number of domestic and U19 tournaments are scheduled.

The monthly retainers have been awarded to not just the performers of previous domestic events but also those who have showcased promise and potential in their respective skillsets during this time.

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The Women’s National Selection Committee, comprising former Test Cricketer Asad Shafiq and former Pakistan Women’s International cricketer Batool Fatima, recommended the names of the 65 players.

Additionally, players outside of this pool can also stake a claim in the domestic contracts list by demonstrating their potential in upcoming domestic events and regional academy camps.

The PCB has conferred domestic contracts for the third consecutive season, maintaining its consistency in a bid to strengthen the player pool at the pathway and domestic level.

Women’s domestic contracts for 2025–26:

Gold contracts (20)

Anam Amin (Lahore), Anosha Nasir (Karachi), Ayesha Zafar (Lahore), Dua Majid (Lahore), Ghulam Fatima (Lahore), Gull Rukh (Dera Ghazi Khan), Hafsa Khalid (Karachi), Huraina Sajjad (Karachi), Iram Javed (Lahore), Kaynat Hafeez (Lahore), Mahnoor Aftab (Peshawar), Neelam Mushtaq (Lahore), Noreen Yaqoob (Lahore), Saima Malik (Quetta), Saira Jabeen (Chitral), Tania Saeed (Rawalpindi), Tasmia Rubab (Jhang), Yusra Amir (Karachi), Zaib-un-Nisa (Charsadda) and Zunash Abdul Sattar (Lahore)

Silver contracts (45)

Aleena Masood (Khanewal), Amber Kainat (Lahore), Areesha Noor (Lahore), Ayesha Bilal (Lahore), Fatima Khan (Lahore), Fatima Shahid (Lahore), Fatima Zahra (Rawalpindi), Humna Bilal (Rawalpindi), Khadija Chishti (Lahore), Laiba Mansoor (Rawalpindi), Maham Manzoor (Hyderabad), Momina Riasat (Abbottabad), Muqadas Bukhari (Okara), Neha Sharmin Nadeem (Karachi), Noor-ul-Iman (Bahawalpur), Rabia Rani (D.I Khan), Rida Aslam (Muzaffarabad), Saiqa Riaz (Lahore), Sana Urooj (Karachi), Shabnam Hayat (Karachi), Soha Fatima (Lahore) and Syeda Masooma Zahra (Karachi)

U19 and Emerging Players (All part of silver category)

Aleesa Mukhtiar (Bahawalpur), Aqsa Bibi (D.G Khan), Areesha Ansari (Sheikhupura), Barira Saif (Rawalpindi), Fizza Fiaz (Lahore), Haniah Ahmer (Karachi), Komal Khan (Lahore), Laiba Nasir (Lahore), Maham Anees (Islamabad), Mahnoor Zeb (Mardan), Malaika Suhani (Lahore), Manahil Rafiq (Faisalabad), Meerab Sheikh (Rawalpindi), Memoona Khalid (Faisalabad), Minahil Javaid (Lahore), Quratulain (Sialkot), Ravail Farhan (Lahore), Samiya Afsar (Lahore), Shahar Bano (Lodhran), Syeda Batool Fatima (Karachi), Tayyba Imdad (Abbottabad), Wasifa Hussain (Karachi) and Zoofishan Ayyaz (Wah Cantt)

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) responded to rumours about the removal of Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood from their roles as white-ball and red-ball captains on Monday.

Speculation had been rife that Shan Masood could be replaced by Saud Shakeel as Test captain, while reports also suggested Mohammad Rizwan’s position as ODI captain was under threat.

However, PCB sources have categorically denied these claims, terming them “baseless.”

They confirmed that there is no proposal under consideration to remove Shan from the Test captaincy, nor is there any plan to appoint Saud as his replacement.

Similarly, the board dismissed talk of Mohammad Rizwan being stripped of the ODI captaincy, clarifying that Salman Ali Agha is not being considered for the role.

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The sources further added that the selection committee has not discussed any such matter, nor has there been any change in the category of players’ central contracts.

Pakistan are currently preparing for the Tri-Nation Series, featuring Afghanistan and the UAE, scheduled to be played in Sharjah from August 29 to September 7.

Each side will face the other twice, with the top two progressing to the final. Pakistan will open their campaign against Afghanistan on August 29 at 7:00 PM local time.

Following the tri-series, Pakistan will shift its focus to the ACC Asia Cup 2025, starting September 9 with the tournament opener between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

Notably, neither Rizwan nor Shan will feature in the upcoming fixtures. Mohammad Rizwan remains out of Pakistan’s T20I squad, while Shan has not been part of the white-ball setup since 2023.

Tri-series schedule (all matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium):

• 29 August – Afghanistan v Pakistan – 7pm local time
• 30 August – UAE v Pakistan – 7pm local time
• 1 September – UAE v Afghanistan – 7pm local time
• 2 September – Pakistan v Afghanistan – 7pm local time
• 4 September – Pakistan v UAE – 7pm local time
• 5 September – Afghanistan v UAE – 7pm local time
• 7 September – Final – 7pm local time

ACC Asia Cup T20 2025 (Pakistan fixtures, Super Fours and Final):

• 12 September – Oman v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time
• 14 September – India v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time
• 17 September – UAE v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time
• 20-26 September – Super Fours fixtures (Abu Dhabi and Dubai)
• 28 September – Final, DICS, 6pm local time

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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