Tag: PCB

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday, outlined the process for issuing refunds for tickets purchased for two ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 matches that were canceled without any play at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

A total of three matches in the current tournament were unable to conclude because of rain in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Ticket refunds have been issued for two of these matches: Australia vs. South Africa on 25 February and Bangladesh vs. Pakistan on 27 February.

Following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) policy, tickets for the match between Afghanistan and Australia will not be refunded. Refunds will only be provided if there is no toss.

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Furthermore, Champions Trophy tickets for the hospitality boxes and the PCB gallery are also non-refundable.

Eligible ticket holders can claim their refunds at 10 designated outlets of a private courier company between 10 March and 14 March.

For the unversed, the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy is on the verge of concluding, with India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia securing all four semi-final spots.

However, the specific match-ups for the knockout phase remain undetermined, as they rely on the result of the final group-stage game between India and New Zealand, which is set to occur at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

After the group stage wraps up, the top team from Group A will compete against the second-ranked team from Group B, while the top team of Group B will take on the second-ranked team from Group A.

READ: Virat Kohli eyes major milestones against New Zealand in Champions Trophy

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) reported decision to rest senior players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Following Pakistan’s disastrous ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, reports surfaced suggesting that the PCB was considering giving key players a break for the white-ball series, which is set to run from March 16 to April 5, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs.

However, Basit Ali isn’t buying the narrative of “resting” players. Speaking on ARY News’ show Har Lamha Purjosh, he called the move a farce, claiming that senior players would eventually return once the younger replacements failed to deliver in New Zealand.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

“It will be said that Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi faced injustice in selection,” Basit remarked.

Instead of resting them, the former cricketer believes that the PCB should be upfront about their intentions and inform Babar, Shaheen, and Rizwan that they are no longer part of the T20I setup.

“You should tell them that we will not consider you for the T20I team,” he added.

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Pakistan’s senior players have been under fire ever since their shocking group-stage exit from the Champions Trophy 2025.

Consecutive defeats against New Zealand and India left them at the bottom of Group A with just one point, as their final match against Bangladesh was washed out in Rawalpindi.

READ: Australia hit by injury setback ahead of Champions Trophy semi-final

LAHORE: Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has hinted at possible changes in the national team’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Pakistan announced their squad for the upcoming tri-nation series and the Champions Trophy on January 31. But the squad announcement was met with criticism from fans and former cricketers.

Naqvi, while speaking to journalists here on Friday, stated that the selection committee is actively reviewing the team.

However, he also clarified that he does not interfere in selection matters and the final authority lies with the selection committee, which will decide whether to make any adjustments to the squad.

“We have included Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf in the squad with good intentions,” Mohsin Naqvi said, addressing concerns over their selection. However, his remarks suggest that no player’s spot is guaranteed, and further discussions are ongoing.

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Earlier today, Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan defended the national team’s squad selected for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

“The team selected for the Champions Trophy consists of the best available players, and the key to good performance is mental fitness,” said Younis.

“Team selection is done based on performance, and once the squad is chosen, the players should be fully supported. Criticism and unnecessary changes only create pressure on the players.”

The former captain expressed faith that this squad has the ability to make it into the semi-finals of the mega-event.

“The players have the talent to make it to the top four teams of the Champions Trophy,” he added.

Pakistan Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (wk)(c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel, Naseem Shah, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Hasnain, Usman Khan, Haris Rauf.

READ: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 official song ‘Jeeto Baazi Khel Ke’ released

LAHORE: Pakistan opener Saim Ayub is progressing well in his recovery from a right ankle injury and will continue his rehabilitation in England, the country’s cricket board revealed on Friday.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Saim has been ruled out for 10 weeks from the date of injury (3 January) following comprehensive MRI scans, X-rays, and medical assessments.

For the unversed, Saim suffered a right ankle fracture while fielding on the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa in early January.

The incident occurred in the seventh over of South Africa’s first innings when Ryan Rickelton played a fuller-length delivery from Mohammad Abbas past the slip cordon into the deep third-wicket region.

Saim, quick on his feet, dashed in to act as the relay fielder, as Aamir Jamal valiantly attempted to haul the ball back from the boundary at deep third-man.

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However, in a heartbreaking moment, Saim Ayub lost his balance and stumbled backwards, struggling to regain his footing.

He was attended to by medical staff on the field, but his painful grimaces made it evident that he was in significant distress. Ultimately, he was carried off the field after he struggled to stand on his feet.

The PCB also shared that the young opener’s availability for the New Zealand tour will be subject to clearing all fitness tests and medical requirements.

Pakistan will tour New Zealand for five T20Is and three ODIs from 16 March to 5 April, which will be followed by the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10, which starts on 8 April.

READ: Virat Kohli faces injury scare ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday, unveiled the ticket prices for the upcoming tri-nation ODI series involving the hosts along with New Zealand and South Africa.

The online tickets will be available here from 4:00 PM on Tuesday, 4 February, while physical tickets will also be available at eight Express Centres of TCS from Tuesday. Up to 10 tickets can be purchased on one ID card.

To facilitate fans for the tri-nation series, which is set to be played from 8-14 February in Lahore and Karachi as the newly upgraded Gaddafi Stadium (GSL) and National Bank Stadium (NBS) are set to welcome back international cricket, the tickets will be available at affordable pricing at PKR 350.

The weekend matches (Pakistan v New Zealand, 8 February at GSL) and (the final, 14 February at NBS) will be available from PKR 500.

To encourage maximum fans to enjoy their favourite players in action at the GSL and NBS before the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, the maximum ticket pricing for newly constructed enclosures in Lahore – Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas (VVIP enclosures) at the Jinnah End will be available to fans at PKR 5,000 for Saturday’s fixture, while Monday’s fixture for fans will be available at PKR 4,000.

For Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram (VVIP enclosures) at the Iqbal End, the fans can witness Saturday’s match for PKR 3,500, while tickets for Monday’s encounter will cost PKR 2,500.

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The VIP enclosures (Fazal Mahmood and Imran Khan) will be available to fans at PKR 2,000 for Saturday’s fixture, while on Monday, the fans can enjoy the action from the same enclosures at PKR 1,500.

The premium enclosures (Rajas and Saeed Anwar) will be available to fans at PKR 1,500 for the opening match of the tri-series on Saturday, while Monday’s fixture will cost fans tickets available at PKR 1,000.

The general enclosures (Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saeed Ahmed) at the Gaddafi Stadium will be available to fans at PKR 350 (Monday’s fixture) and PKR 500 (Saturday’s fixture).

Moreover, first-class enclosures (Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Abdul Qadir, Javed Miandad and Sarfaraz Nawaz) will be available to fans at PKR 1,000 (Monday’s fixture) and PKR 1,500 (Saturday’s fixture).

In Lahore, the fans can also witness action from Gallery (hospitality) boxes at PKR 6,000 for Saturday’s fixture and PKR 5,000 for Monday’s fixture.

For Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, the general enclosures (Asif Iqbal, Nazar Mohammad, Waqar Hasan and Younis Khan) tickets will be available to fans at PKR 350 for Wednesday’s fixture, while for the tri-series final on Friday the tickets will be available to fans at PKR 500.

For first-class enclosures (Imran Khan, Intikhab Alam, Wasim Akram, Wasim Bari and Shahid Afridi) entry tickets will be available for sale for Wednesday’s fixture at PKR 750, while the final on Friday will be available at PKR 1,000.

Additionally, premium enclosures (Iqbal Qasim, Mohammad Brothers, Naseem ul Ghani) will be accessible to fans at PKR 1,000 for Wednesday’s fixture while tickets for Friday’s fixture will be available at PKR 1,500.

VIP enclosures (Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad and Javed Miandad) tickets will be worth PKR 1,500 for Wednesday’s fixture, while it will cost PKR 2,000 for the final scheduled on Friday.

The VVIP enclosures (Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas) located at the University End, will be available to fans at PKR 4,000 for Wednesday’s fixture, while fans can buy tickets at PKR 5,000 for Friday’s final match.

The Gallery seats will be available to fans at PKR 5,000 for Wednesday’s fixture, while Friday’s fixture will be available to fans at PKR 6,000.

READ: Mitchell Starc makes shocking revelation regarding retirement plans

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly finalised the schedule for the opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ensuring a grand launch for the prestigious tournament.

According to reliable sources, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has given final approval for all planned events, with high-profile dignitaries expected to attend.

The first major event will take place on February 7 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to be the chief guest.

The celebrations will then move to the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, on February 11, with President Asif Ali Zardari expected to attend.

The main Champions Trophy opening ceremony is scheduled for February 16 at Hazoori Bagh, Lahore, where top government officials, legendary cricketers, and ICC representatives will be present.

It’s worth noting that the England cricket team is set to arrive in Pakistan on February 18, followed by Australia on February 19.

Due to their delayed arrival, the official photoshoot has been cancelled, and the joint press conference of all captains will no longer take place.

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However, sources confirm that all captains will be required to attend individual pre-match press conferences ahead of their respective matches.

It’s worth noting that the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

The eight-team tournament will consist of 15 matches over 19 days and will take place in Pakistan and Dubai.

In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host Champions Trophy 2025 matches. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.

Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days. The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed to represent Pakistan Champions in WCL Season 2

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced the schedule for the upcoming tri-nation ODI series, featuring New Zealand and South Africa.

The series will be played on a single-league basis from 8 to 14 February, with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium hosting the opening two matches and Karachi’s National Bank Stadium staging the final league match and the final.

Pakistan and New Zealand will kick off the tri-nation ODI series at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, 8 February, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 14:00 (local time).

New Zealand will then face South Africa on Monday, 10 February, in a day match with the toss set for 09:00 (local time).

The action will shift to Karachi, where Pakistan will take on South Africa on 12 February in a day/night match at the National Bank Stadium, starting at 14:00 (local time).

The final will be played on Friday, 14 February, with the first ball to be bowled at 14:00 (local time).

Both Pakistan and New Zealand are scheduled to train at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, 6 February, under lights, while South Africa’s first outing at the historic venue will be on the morning of Sunday, 9 February.

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While the four matches at Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium will provide the three sides with an excellent opportunity to finalise preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, it will also be a perfect occasion for the PCB to showcase its redesigned and redeveloped venues to the world through its world-class broadcast.

At the Gaddafi Stadium, the spectator capacity has been increased, with new chairs installed throughout the venue.

Additionally, 480 state-of-the-art LED lights have been installed to enhance broadcast LUX levels, ensuring a superior viewing experience for fans worldwide. To further elevate the spectator experience, two giant digital replay screens – measuring 80 feet x 30 feet and 22 feet x 35 feet – have been installed.

A brand-new hospitality enclosure for players and officials is near completion, ensuring that the iconic stadium is fully operational to deliver an unparalleled experience for all stakeholders.

At the National Bank Stadium, significant enhancements have been made, including the creation of a new hospitality enclosure for players and officials at the University End. To improve broadcast coverage, 350 LED lights have been installed, ensuring optimal visibility for global audiences.

Two digital replay screens have already been fixed and 5,000 new chairs have been installed to enhance spectator comfort.

Schedule of Tri-series (Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa)

8 February 2025, Pakistan vs New Zealand (14:00)

10 February 2025, South Africa vs New Zealand (09:30)

12 February 2025, South Africa vs Pakistan (14:00)

14 February 2025, Final (14:00)

READ: Aqib Javed responds to criticism on Pakistan’s spin-spiced strategy in Test cricket

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday named legendary Inzamam-ul-Haq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Mohammad and Saeed Anwar in the Hall of Fame for 2024.

The four greats have joined Abdul Qadir, AH Kardar, Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Younis Khan and Zaheer Abbas in the illustrious group.

The four icons of the game were inducted following an independent and transparent voting process, which was participated by Wasim Akram, Zaheer Abbas (both PCB Hall of Famers), Azhar Ali (former Pakistan captain), Bismah Maroof, Nain Abidi (both former women international cricketers), Majid Bhatti, Mohi Shah, Mohammad Yaqoob, Nauman Niaz, Sawera Pasha and Zahid Maqsood (cricket journalists/analysts).

The four stalwarts will be formally inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame during the course of the year when they will be presented with commemorative caps and specially-designed plaques.

Inzamam-ul-Haq played international cricket from 1991 to 2007 and was a member of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning team.

Misbah-ul-Haq represented Pakistan from 2001 to 2017, was part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 winning squad and guided the team to the No.1 spot in the ICC Test Team Rankings in 2016.

Mushtaq Mohammad played for Pakistan from 1959 to 1979 and captained the team to its first-ever Test win in Australia in 1977, featured in the inaugural ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 1975 in England before coaching the Pakistan side to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 1999 final – also in England.

Meanwhile, Saeed Anwar represented Pakistan from 1989 to 2003, amassing a total of 31 centuries and 68 half-centuries, including three centuries and three half-centuries across the 1996, 1999 and 2003 World Cups.

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PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi:

“On behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board, I extend heartfelt congratulations to these four cricketing legends on their well-deserved inductions into the PCB Hall of Fame. This honour represents a tribute to their outstanding contributions to Pakistan cricket and to the global game.

“Mushtaq Mohammad is regarded as one of Pakistan’s finest captains, known for his astute leadership and inspiring style.

“Inzamam-ul-Haq’s immense talent and match-winning ability have left an indelible mark on the sport. Misbah-ul-Haq took charge of the Pakistan team during challenging times, guiding it to the pinnacle of Test rankings and achieving a historic series win in the Caribbean.

“Saeed Anwar, with his natural grace and classical technique, redefined the role of an opener and thrived against some of the world’s best bowlers under all conditions.

“These four giants of the game hold a special place in Pakistan’s rich cricketing history. Their contributions not only elevated the sport within Pakistan but also inspired future generations to pursue excellence.

“Their talent, charisma and unwavering commitment have made them true ambassadors of cricket and the PCB takes immense pride in honouring their accomplishments.

“Pakistan is fortunate to have produced such extraordinary players who have showcased their skill and sportsmanship on the global stage.

“I hope that our aspiring cricketers will look up to these icons and strive to follow in their footsteps, carrying forward their legacy and continuing to strengthen Pakistan’s position as a cricketing powerhouse.”

READ: Shan Masood as Pakistan Test Captain: A Game-Changer or a Gamble?

CAPE TOWN: Pakistan’s young batting sensation, Saim Ayub has flown to London from here on Tuesday for immediate medical attention following an ankle injury sustained during the second Test against South Africa.

The left-handed batter suffered a right ankle fracture while fielding on Friday, the first day of the aforementioned Test, which Pakistan lost by ten wickets.

Pakistan’s assistant Coach Azhar Mahmood also accompanied Saim for his treatment in London.

Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has taken a personal interest in Saim’s well-being, guaranteeing that he receives the highest standard of medical care available.

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Following Naqvi’s directives, the young batter is scheduled for an extensive examination by renowned sports orthopaedic specialists in England tomorrow, as they work to assess the extent of his injury and chart a path for his rehabilitation.

“Saim Ayub is a valuable asset for Pakistan cricket,” Naqvi stated. “We will provide every possible resource for his treatment and recovery.”

Naqvi also extended his heartfelt wishes for the player’s swift recovery.

“I am praying for his complete health and will continue to monitor his condition closely by staying in constant contact with the doctors,” he remarked.

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For the unversed, Saim Ayub sustained the injury in the seventh over of South Africa’s first innings when Ryan Rickelton, who went on to play a marathon 259-run knock, played a fuller-length delivery from Mohammad Abbas past the slip cordon into the deep third-wicket region.

Saim, quick on his feet, dashed in to act as the relay fielder, as Aamir Jamal valiantly attempted to haul the ball back from the boundary at deep third-man.

However, in a heartbreaking moment, Saim lost his balance and stumbled backwards, struggling to regain his footing.

He was attended to by medical staff on the field, but his painful grimaces made it evident that he was in significant distress. Ultimately, he was carried off the field after he struggled to stand on his feet.

READ: South Africa thump Pakistan in second Test to sweep series

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday revealed the schedule of the upcoming West Indies men’s cricket team’s tour of Pakistan.

West Indies will play a two-match Test series against Pakistan, that will run from 17 January to 29 January. This series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25.

The West Indies cricket team will arrive in Islamabad on 6 January and will play a three-day practice match against Pakistan Shaheens from 10-12 January at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

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Following the three-day match, they will take on Pakistan in back-to-back Tests in Multan. The first Test will be played from 17-21 January, while the second Test will be held from 25-29 January.

It’s worth noting that this will be the West Indies’ first Test tour of Pakistan in 19 years when they played three Tests in November 2006, while their last Test away Test series against Pakistan was in the UAE in October 2016.

However, the Carribean team have thrice toured Pakistan since April 2018 – once for the ODI series (June 2022) and twice for the T20I series (April 2018 and December 2021).

Tour Schedule

10-12 January – three-day match vs Pakistan Shaheens, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

17-21 January – first Test, Multan Cricket Stadium

25-29 January – second Test, Multan Cricket Stadium

Playing hours (Tests):

First session – 09:30 – 12: 00

Second session – 12:40 – 14:40 (1300-1500, only Fridays)

Third session – 15:00 – 16:30 (1520-1650, only Fridays)

READ: PCB reveals pick order for PSL 10 Player Draft