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Mohsin Naqvi congratulates Pakistan hockey team on reaching U-18 Asia Cup Final

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, lauded the Pakistan Hockey team for reaching the U-18 Hockey Asia Cup final on Friday.

Pakistan continued their unbeaten run in the tournament, emerging victorious in a narrowly contested semi-final. During the regular time, neither team could score a goal despite multiple attempts.

The outcome of the high-stakes encounter was decided on shootouts, where Green Shirts netted four goals and missed one. In contrast, Malaysia managed only three goals while missing two crucial chances to advance in the final.

This was Pakistan’s fifth consecutive win in the tournament, having previously defeated Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong dominantly.

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Pakistan will now face Japan in the final of the U-18 Hockey Asia Cup, set to be played on Sunday.

Mohsin Naqvi praised the hockey team for their unity and coordination in the semi-final.

“Pakistan Under-18 hockey team reached the final after demonstrating excellent play, said the board chairman. “The players demonstrated exceptional teamwork and coordination,” he noted.

Mohsin Naqvi also congratulated the team captain, coaches, and management on the achievement, expressing hope that Pakistan would come home with the winning trophy.

“The players have showcased remarkable performances throughout the tournament. I am confident that the U18 team will bring home the Asia Cup title,” he concluded.

Pakistan Hockey Squad for U-18 Asia Cup

Mohammad Usman, Atif Ali, Asam Junaid, Mohammad Abdullah Farooq, Abdullah Awan, Zubair Lateef, Mohammad Yaseen, Mohammad Ali Taj, Ghulam Mustafa, Ali Hamza, Ali Hamzad, Aamir Sohail, Adeel Afzal, Mohammad Zaman, Mohammad Hussain, Mohammad Shaheer, Hasan Shahbaz, Yaseen Jamshaid

Team management

Shafqat Malik (manager): Mukhtar Ahmed, Touseeq Ahmed, Masood-ur-Rahman (coaches)

READ: Pakistan edge past Malaysia to reach U-18 Hockey Asia Cup final

Pakistan women cricketers’ fitness camp commences in Karachi

KARACHI: Pakistan women cricketers’ 27-day fitness and skills camp kicked off ahead of a packed international calendar here at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre on Tuesday.

The camp is currently underway under the supervision of Head Coach Mohammad Wasim, with 24 women cricketers participating.

The training camp is designed to enhance players’ skills through various drills. The women cricketers also practiced their fielding in a three-hour camp.

During the camp, coaches provided players with tips on improving their skills and fitness. In the evening session, the women cricketers will engage in net practice.

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For context, the camp, which features 24 players, is designed to fine-tune both technical skills and physical conditioning as the squad prepares for a crucial stretch of international commitments, including a T20I tour to Ireland and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

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Pakistan women team is scheduled to fly to Ireland on August 3, where they’ll face the hosts in a three-match T20I series at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin. The fixtures are set for August 7, 10, and 11.

But the real spotlight will fall in October when the Green Shirts begin their ICC Women’s World Cup campaign, a tournament jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Due to the ‘fusion formula’ agreement between the PCB and BCCI, which rules out bilateral visits for ICC events until 2026, Pakistan will play all their matches in Colombo.

Pakistan women’s team opens their World Cup journey on October 2 against Bangladesh, followed by the much-anticipated clash with India on October 5.

The group stage continues with high-stakes fixtures against Australia (Oct 8), England (Oct 15), New Zealand (Oct 18), South Africa (Oct 21), and hosts Sri Lanka (Oct 24), all at the R Premadasa Stadium.

If Pakistan qualify for the knockouts, their semi-final will also be played in Colombo. The final is slated for November 2 in Bengaluru, unless Pakistan make it, in which case the showpiece will shift to Colombo, in accordance with the neutral venue policy.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed joins Pakistan Champions for WCL 2025

PCB’s Abdullah Khurram Niazi explains revamped domestic structure for 2025-26

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director of Domestic Cricket Operations, Abdullah Khurram Niazi, on Monday, explained the key decisions regarding the restructuring of domestic cricket in Pakistan.

While addressing the media in the Provincial capital, Abdullah Niazi revealed that a 15-member committee was formed to reform domestic cricket.

“A committee was formed in which 15 members decided, with consultation, to reform the previous domestic structure,” he said.

“Regional representatives were part of the reform committee, and it was unanimously decided that top-performing teams from last season will play in the main round,” he added.

Abdullah Khurram Niazi also shed light on the new format, noting the importance of top-performing regions.

“Some regions need to improve their standards, so we’ve devised a format where top-performing regions will directly feature in the main round. Underperforming ones will go through qualifying rounds, and the top two teams from the qualifiers will advance,” the PCB cricket operations director explained.

The Director said that under-19 level competitions, including three-day matches, will be organized regularly, while clarifying that no new tournaments have been introduced.

“Our upcoming structure revolves around regional cricket. These are not new tournaments — they’ve been played in the past.”

Khurram Niazi also stressed inclusivity while announcing the criteria for central contracts in domestic cricket.

“Central contracts in domestic cricket will be awarded based on performance in the previous season. We cannot ignore any region. The best players from all regions will be promoted. This isn’t about any single province’s pride — it’s about Pakistan.”

Speaking on merit-based selection, he noted, “In our culture, favoritism is often alleged. To counter that perception, we’ve improved the selection process significantly.”

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While speaking on the Champions Cup, he stated that Waqar Younis, Shoaib Malik, and Saqlain Mushtaq had to step back due to personal commitments.

“Some mentors did not want to continue their roles, though a few are still contributing. It is the result of mentors’ hard work that talent like Khawaja Nafay and Hasan Nawaz is nurtured.

He added that work is underway on strengthening cricket academies. “This was something our cricket ecosystem truly needed.”

The PCB Director of Domestic Cricket also discussed the financial and technical challenges of streaming domestic matches, while urging local sponsors to invest.

“Live streaming of domestic matches is under consideration, but the cost is significant — nearly three to four million rupees per day. It’s not easy.

Every country builds on its strengths, and we are striving to do the same. No director can influence player selection, and the PCB has made its selection criteria more transparent and performance-oriented,” he concluded.

For context, a day earlier, PCB announced a significantly revised domestic calendar for the 2025-26 season.

Among the notable changes was the participation of eight regional sides, compared to 18 from the previous year, in the forthcoming Pakistan’s premier domestic tournament, the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.

READ: Haris Rauf ruled out as Pakistan names squad for Bangladesh T20I series

PCB domestic committee discusses structural changes ahead of new season

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Domestic Cricket Revamping Committee met this week to deliberate over a series of proposed changes to the domestic structure ahead of the new season, sources confirmed.

The session was marked by comprehensive discussions about possible modifications to the formats of Pakistan’s premier tournaments, specifically the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the esteemed Hanif Mohammad Trophy.

Stakeholders delved into various ideas and proposals aimed at enhancing the structure and appeal of these competitions.

Participants exchanged insights on how these changes could elevate the standard of domestic cricket in the country.

A formal announcement detailing the revamped domestic structure is anticipated in the near future.

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As per sources, one of the major outcomes of the meeting was the finalization of qualification criteria for two additional teams in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

The committee has proposed that the 12 remaining regional sides compete in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy, with the top two teams qualifying for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy alongside the six automatic entrants.

Before delving into the structural discussions, the committee undertook an in-depth examination of the performance of the domestic coaching staff.

Insider sources suggest that several domestic coaches, who have not met performance expectations during their tenures, could face non-renewal of their contracts for the upcoming season.

As a result, the board is preparing to open new coaching positions soon, awaiting the final approval from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

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Pakistan set to appoint renowned Australian as fielding coach: reports

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to appoint renowned Australian fielding specialist Shane McDermott as an all-format fielding coach, Telecom Asia Sport reported.

According to the report, an official announcement of the decision is expected soon.

The decision came after the departure of Mohammad Masroor as head coach of the national team. He was appointed on a series-to-series basis in October 2024.

Mohammad Masroor confirmed the decision via a social media post, expressing gratitude for his time with the Pakistan team.

“Thank you to the players who trusted, the staff who supported, and the fans who believed. Behind every catch taken, every game won was a group of men who believed,” he wrote.

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Now, McDermott, who has extensive experience, is set to hold the position. His past experience includes coaching teams such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cricket Australia, the Western Australia Cricket Association, and Cricket Tasmania.

Previously, Shane McDermott served as Assistant Fielding Coach with the Bangladesh team between 2022 and 2023. Before that, the 44-year-old spent three years as the fielding coach of Sri Lanka’s team and also coached the Sri Lanka A side during his tenure.

At the start of his career, he held various positions at Cricket Australia. The roles included interim Assistant Fielding Coach and interim National A Team Analyst and Fielding Coach.

For context, Pakistan is set to play crucial matches in the forthcoming months, starting with the series against Bangladesh. The Green Shirts will play three matches against the Tigers, followed by a T20I series against West Indies in the Caribbean.

After that, Pakistan will feature in the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to be played in September and hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

READ: Aqib Javed opens up on conversations with Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan

PCB approves Rs18.3bn budget for 2025-26 in BoG meeting

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approved a budget estimate of Rs 18.3 billion for the financial year 2025-26 during its 78th Board of Governors (BoG) meeting held on Thursday here at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

The 78th BoG meeting was chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

During the meeting, the Board unanimously approved the estimated budget of Rs18.3 billion for the financial year 2025–26. The members also expressed satisfaction over the utilization of the 2024–25 budget and formally ratified the decisions taken in the previous board meeting.

In a bid to promote cricket at the grassroots level, the Board decided to annually reward the best-performing region. Additionally, it was resolved that staff performance will be regularly monitored.

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Javed Murtaza briefed the members on the key features of the new budget.

Among those in attendance were PCB BoG members Zaheer Abbas, Sajjad Ali Khokhar, Zafarullah, Tariq Sarwar, and PCB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sameer Ahmed.

Additionally, PSL CEO Salman Naseer, Director Media and Communications Aamer Mir, Director Domestic Cricket Abdullah Khurram Niazi, and Head of Women’s Cricket Rafia Haider also participated in the meeting.

Other members including Anwar Ghani, Mustafa Ramday, Daniyal Gilani, Anwar Ahmed Khan, Dr. Shafi-ur-Rehman, and Director International Cricket Usman Wahla attended the meeting via video link.

READ: Shubman Gill breaks 35-year-old record with double century against England

WATCH: Stakeholders hail PSL’s decade-long progress in post-meeting feedback

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) stakeholders praised the marquee league’s progress over the past decade in a post-meeting feedback with the management.

A day earlier, PSL management shared insights and data on the league’s growth over the years.

The meeting was headed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Naseer at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), in which representatives of franchises, the title sponsor, media rights partners, and commercial partners participated.

“Ali Imran, Rao Umar Hashim Khan, and Ayaz Imam from Walee Technologies, Trans Group, and A Sports, respectively, took part in the stakeholders meeting and shared their views with the PCB Digital,” the PCB stated in a statement.

The Senior Vice President of A Sports, Ayaz Imam, referred to the marquee league as the biggest tournament in Pakistan.

“HBL PSL is the biggest tournament in Pakistan at the moment, and thanks to the Almighty, the success in 10 years has been tremendous, and I feel it will keep on excelling in the future. As the broadcaster of this tournament, we take pride. Our ratings go higher and higher every time the PSL comes around,” he said.

Ali Imran, Senior Vice President of Walee Technologies, also hailed the record-breaking PSL X, emphasizing the streaming records.

“I think HBL PSL X was just amazing. Walee partnered with biggest live-streaming and digital platforms in Pakistan including Begin, Daraz, Myco, Tamasha and Tapmad. This is the first time 57.4 million fans from Pakistan streamed the PSL matches and there were over 3.4 billionm views across these platforms.

“The way the PSL team works is amazing and they have been a great support for Walee Technologies in bringing the HBL PSL closer to the fans. I urge the fans to get ready to witness the biggest PSL event next year as we plan to bring more digital innovations to fore,” he said.

Rao Umar Hashim Khan, Group Director, Trans Group, extended his best wishes for the tournament’s future success.

“Being the pioneer partner, I have the best wishes for the HBL PSL and I feel it is going to become the biggest cricketing event in the world. PSL is growing every season and we are hopeful that we’ll showcase lots of good cricket in times to come, ” he said.

“It has been an honour for Trans Group to be part of the HBL PSL for the entirety of the 10 seasons. It is such a joy to be a part of the PSL and everywhere we go it feels amazing to represent Pakistan’s mega event,” Hashim Khan added.”

The Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of HBL, Ali Habib, highlighted the tournament’s progress and hailed it as the nation’s biggest sporting event.

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“Everyone should reflect on the remarkable consistency of the HBL PSL for the last 10 years. At the start of every year the fans get excited about a new HBL PSL season, which in turn has made it as one of the biggest sporting brands.

“We should all pat our back for this wonderful achievement. Over the last 10 years we have shown to the world that we have the capacity, capability and organizational skills to pull off a vast six-week tournament across Pakistan involving over 60 overseas players,” he concluded.

For the unversed, the inaugural season of Pakistan’s first franchise-based league, PSL, kicked off in 2016 with a glitzy opening ceremony held at the Dubai Sports City Stadium.

Initially, five teams participated in the tournament: Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Lahore Qalandars, and Karachi Kings. However, in 2018, another team, Multan Sultans, was added to the competition, making the league a six-team tournament.

The 10th edition of the tournament, named PSL X, ran from April 11 to May 25 and featured a total of 34 matches, marking the most successful edition in the tournament’s history.

READ: Pakistan thump Japan to storm into Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship final

PSL management showcases 10 years of progress at stakeholders meeting

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) management shared insights into its decade-long progress, headed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Naseer, here on Wednesday at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

The inaugural season of Pakistan’s first franchise-based league, PSL, kicked off in 2016 with a glitzy opening ceremony held at the Dubai Sports City Stadium.

The 10th edition of the tournament, named PSL X, ran from April 11 to May 25 and featured a total of 34 matches, marking the most successful edition in the tournament’s history.

The Cricket Board has also shared the salient features of PSL X during the meeting.

“An impressive 647.25% increase in live streaming from PSL 9 to PSL X, highlighting the growing popularity of the league. In total, fans in Pakistan watched 48.5 billion cumulative minutes across live streaming platforms,” PCB stated.

“The PSL Playoffs and Final garnered 511 million views within the country, showcasing strong viewer engagement. Notably, 53% of the audience came from urban areas, while 47% were from rural regions,” it added.

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Moreover, the statement noted that PSL X also garnered a massive social media following through the tournament’s online content.

“The league has also amassed a substantial social media following, with 22 million fans engaging with PSL content online,” the cricket governing body said.

During the meeting, the management of the Marquee League demonstrated data and analytics regarding the PSL’s progress over the years. The workshop also reflected on the statistical analysis between the ninth and tenth editions of the league.

Speaking on occasion, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi praised PSL standards while calling the tournament a symbol of determination.

“The Pakistan Super League has not only grown into a premier cricketing brand but has also served as a symbol of resilience, hope, and unity during challenging times, he said.

“As we look to the future, the PCB remains committed to strengthening and evolving the league further. We envision an even more competitive, inclusive and globally engaging tournament that continues to bring joy to cricket fans and honour to Pakistan,” Mohsin Naqvi added.

PCB’s CEO, Salman Naseer, lauded PSL X’s digital engagement, emphasizing the significant increase in live streaming during the tournament.

“The substantial growth in digital engagement, particularly the 647 per cent surge in live streaming, is a testament to the league’s increasing popularity among cricket fans, ” he said.

“PSL is not just a tournament, it’s a movement that unites fans across the globe. As we look ahead towards the next decade, we cannot wait to unravel new stories and thrilling experiences for the fans. Exciting times ahead!” Salman Naseer concluded.

READ: Pakistan to lock horns with India on THIS date in Asia Cup 2025: reports

WATCH: National cricketers train in second phase of PCB skill development camp

LAHORE: The second phase of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) skill development camp is underway here at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) ground on Tuesday.

The 15 players part of the camp took part in various training sessions under the supervision of the coaches.

The coaches worked on the players’ batting and bowling skills at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

The second phase players include Aamer Jamal, Ali Raza, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Hussain Talat, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Faiq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shahid Aziz, and Yasir Khan.

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For the unversed, the 20-day skill development camp, organised by the PCB, is being held in three phases and is designed to fine-tune the skills of national cricketers across all formats. A total of 47 players are expected to participate throughout the program.

The first batch of the camp concluded on Saturday, 21 June, which featured 15 players.

The players in the first phase of the camp included Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Babar Azam, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Muqeem.

The second phase of the camp will continue until 28 June, while the third phase will commence on 30 June.

The PCB officials view skill development initiative as part of a broader strategy to invest in long-term player development through consistent, skill-based training and proper fitness management, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s talent pool.

READ: WATCH: Players participate in scenario-based matches at PCB skill development camp

WATCH: Players participate in scenario-based matches at PCB skill development camp

LAHORE: National cricketers participated in scenario-based practice matches under the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) skill development initiative here at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) ground on Friday.

During the scenario-based matches, coaches assigned various tasks to players at the camp.

Players will engage in fitness and fielding sessions from 6:00 to 8:00 AM. Additionally, skill-based sessions (net practice) are scheduled from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM at both the LCCA Ground and NCA, taking place from Monday to Thursday.

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According to the schedule, Phase 1 of the camp, running from June 16 to 21, features 15 players, including Babar.

The players in the first phase of the camp include: Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Babar Azam, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Muqeem.

The second phase of the camp is set to begin on June 23, followed by Phase 3 on June 30, with fresh player batches expected to be announced in the coming days.

The PCB officials view this initiative as part of a broader strategy to invest in long-term player development through consistent, skill-based training and proper fitness management, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s talent pool.

READ: Babar Azam opts out of PCB’s skills development camp after two days