PCB chief reacts to Pakistan’s clean sweep victory against South Africa

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi has extended his heartiest congratulations to the Pakistan men’s cricket team for their historic clean sweep victory in the ODI series against South Africa on Friday.

Pakistan, under the inspired leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, became the first-ever team to clean-sweep the Proteas in an ODI series in South Africa after their 36-run victory in the third and final match.

Following the victory, Mohsin Naqvi congratulated the whole team on their dominant performance and attributed the victory to the combined efforts of all the players.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the national team for winning the third ODI and completing a clean sweep against South Africa,” Naqvi stated.

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“The result of teamwork is reflected in this remarkable success. The Pakistani team displayed confidence, passion, and hard work on the field.”

He heaped high praise on Saim Ayub, who played a 101-run knock in the third ODI and clinched the Player of the Match as well as Player of the Series awards.

The chairman also lauded the contributions of Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and young bowler Sufiyan Muqeem.

“Once again, Saim Ayub showcased his class by scoring a century and playing a pivotal role in the victory,” he added.

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“Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam batted exceptionally well, while Sufiyan Muqeem won the hearts of the nation with his outstanding bowling performance.”

He expressed his belief that this victory will provide the Green Shirts with a much-needed boost in momentum ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“This victory will boost the players’ morale and inspire the Pakistani team to maintain their performance in the upcoming Champions Trophy tournament,” he concluded.

READ: Saim Ayub joins Virat Kohli, Fakhar Zaman in exclusive club

PCB reacts to Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim’s retirement

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) thanked pace bowler Mohammad Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim for their contributions on Saturday after they announced their retirement from international cricket.

Amir and Wasim came out of international retirement earlier this year and made themselves available for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which was played in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA) in June.

Wasim managed three wickets in three games at an average of 14.66 and scored a meagre 19 runs in two outings. Meanwhile, Amir was Pakistan’s best bowler in the tournament, taking seven wickets in four matches at an impressive average of 10.28.

However, their presence did not help as Pakistan crashed out of the tournament from the group stage, mainly due to their gut-wrenching defeats against the United States of America (USA) and arch-rivals India.

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Both players were not considered for Pakistan’s white-ball assignments after the T20 World Cup, which resulted in them stepping away from international cricket.

The PCB released a statement, thanking both players for their services and wishing them well in their future endeavours.

“All-rounder Imad Wasim and left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir have announced their retirements from international cricket. Both players last featured for Pakistan in this year’s ICC T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies,” the PCB said in a statement.

“On behalf of the PCB, I extend sincere gratitude to Amir and Imad for their services to Pakistan cricket and wish them the very best in their future endeavours,” PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad stated.

READ: Mohammad Amir once again retires from international cricket

PM Shehbaz Sharif lauds PCB chairman’s stance on Champions Trophy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Sunday, lauded Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for his principled stance on hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ARY News reported.

Naqvi, who is also serving as the Federal Interior Minister, met the Prime Minister in Islamabad and briefed on the progress of the prestigious event, which will be hosted in Pakistan.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif conveyed his deep admiration for Mohsin Naqvi’s principled and steadfast approach to the upcoming tournament.

“Your stance on the Champions Trophy is the voice of every Pakistani,” Sharif remarked.

Shehbaz Sharif, displaying unwavering support, further expressed his complete confidence in Naqvi’s leadership in navigating the complexities of the tournament’s hosting arrangements.

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“In the ICC, you represented Pakistan’s 240 million people,” Sharif added. “Pakistan’s honour comes first, and everything else follows.”

Mohsin Naqvi confidently informed Sharif that the PCB is fully prepared to host the prestigious Champions Trophy tournament on home soil.

“The PCB is fully prepared to host the Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan,” Naqvi asserted. “We want Pakistan and cricket to succeed.”

Currently, the deadlock surrounding the eight-team tournament is at a standstill as the International Cricket Council (ICC) is awaiting a response from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the PCB’s ‘fusion formula.’

The PCB proposed this ‘fusion formula’ in an effort to break the stalemate around the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

This proposal suggests that India, as they wanted, would be playing their matches at a neutral venue during the Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy. In exchange, the PCB is seeking a similar arrangement for future ICC events that will take place in India.

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PCB Chairman congratulates Pakistan Blind team on T20 World Cup victory

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi has extended his heartiest congratulations to the Pakistan Blind cricket team for winning the T20 World Cup 2024 on Tuesday.

Pakistan registered a commanding ten-wicket victory over Bangladesh to clinch their first-ever WBCC Blind Cricket T20 World Cup in Multan.

Mohsin Naqvi expressed profound pride in the remarkable achievement of the Blind Cricket Team, acknowledging the immense dedication and unwavering perseverance that paved the way for their historic victory.

“The players of the Blind Cricket Team delivered an outstanding performance, earning the prestigious title of T20 World Champions,” said Naqvi.

He also conveyed heartfelt congratulations to the management team, whose essential contributions and strategic guidance played a pivotal role in the team’s success.

Naqvi expressed his hopes that the squad would maintain this winning spirit in future tournaments.

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“I want to extend my warmest congratulations to the management of the Pakistan Blind cricket team. The players displayed remarkable dedication and exemplary teamwork in every match” he added.

In a thrilling finale, Bangladesh managed to post a modest total of 139 runs after losing seven wickets. Arif Hussain stood out as the star performer for Bangladesh, delivering a commendable innings with a solid score of 54 runs.

On the bowling front for Pakistan, Babar Ali showcased his skills, claiming three crucial wickets, while his teammates Motiullah and Mohammad Salman each added to the tally with one wicket apiece.

In response, the Pakistan blind cricket team successfully chased down the target in just 11 overs without losing a single wicket.

The formidable opening pair of Nisar Ali and Mohammad Safdar forged an unbeaten partnership that saw Ali score an impressive 72 runs and Safdar contributing 47 runs, leading the host nation to a resounding 10-wicket victory.

READ: Shoaib Akhtar reveals what Babar Azam must do to stay in team

Champions Trophy 2025: PCB proposes Partnership or Fusion Formula

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed a new ‘Partnership or Fusion Formula’ to end the stalemate around the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ARY News reported, citing sources.

According to sources, the PCB has forwarded its formula to the International Cricket Council (ICC), according to which Pakistan and India will play all of their game at a neutral venue for the next three years.

As per the Partnership or Fusion Formula, India will not travel to Pakistan and vice versa for their games in the ICC tournaments scheduled for the next three years.

Sources said that the ICC will take a decision on the matter after holding consultations with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The development came after the ICC on Friday adjourned the board meeting without a decision about the fate of the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled in the February-March window next year in Pakistan.

The meeting was called after the BCCI refused to send its team to Pakistan for the tournament.

It is worth noting here that the BCCI suggested a hybrid model instead of travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and proposed India’s matches be held in Dubai.

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The PCB categorically rejected such a proposal and insists that it will hold the entirety of the tournament on its soil.

A day earlier, reports said that the PCB wrote to the International Cricket Council ahead of the scheduled board meeting.

In the letter, the Pakistan Cricket Board made it clear that the hybrid model, which would involve holding some matches in a neutral venue, was not acceptable for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Meanwhile, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, hinted at a new formula to be created based on parity for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Naqvi emphasised that any new formula regarding the ICC event must ensure equality and fairness.

“A lot of things are going on, I don’t want to comment too much because that can ruin everything, we have presented our point of view to ICC,” said Naqvi while speaking to the media at Dubai Stadium last week.

“India has also given its opinion, All the boards are trying to ensure a win-win situation for all, Pakistan also wants that cricket should win but anything with respect.”

READ: Ricky Ponting wants Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne to follow Virat Kohli

ICC postpones today’s meeting regarding Champions Trophy 2025

The International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting scheduled for Saturday (today) regarding the hosting of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 has been postponed, ARY News reported, citing sources.

Recent reports indicate that the much-anticipated meeting might be rescheduled for either Sunday or Monday.

The delay in the meeting is primarily attributed to the fact that both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) require additional time to engage in consultations with their respective foreign ministries.

For the unversed, the meeting was initially scheduled for November 29. However, this crucial gathering was adjourned without reaching a definitive conclusion regarding the much-anticipated Champions Trophy.

The meeting was convened by ICC as a direct response to the BCCI announcing its refusal to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, which is slated to take place during the February-March window of next year.

The sources revealed that during the brief meeting, which lasted approximately 15 minutes, representatives from the 12 Full Member countries, three representatives from Associate nations, and an independent director were present, alongside the ICC chairman and CEO.

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During the meeting, Pakistan reasserted its firm opposition to any hybrid model that would spread matches across different venues.

The ICC is actively exploring a variety of options to address the complications surrounding the Champions Trophy 2025, particularly in light of India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan.

It is pertinent to note here that the BCCI has suggested a hybrid model instead of travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The BCCI proposed that India’s matches be held in Dubai.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has categorically rejected such a proposal and insists that it will hold the entirety of the tournament on its soil. A day earlier, reports said that the PCB wrote to the International Cricket Council ahead of the scheduled board meeting.

Sources said that the PCB made it clear that the hybrid model, which would involve holding some matches in a neutral venue, was not acceptable for the Champions Trophy 2025.

READ: It’s unacceptable that Pakistan visit India but they don’t: Mohsin Naqvi

Champions Trophy 2025: ICC meeting adjourned without decision

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday adjourned the board meeting without a decision regarding the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, ARY News reported, citing sources.

The board meeting was called after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send its team to Pakistan for the tournament, scheduled in the February-March window next year.

According to sources, the meeting, comprising representatives from the 12 Full Member countries, three representatives from Associates, and an independent director alongside the ICC chairman and CEO, continued for around 15 minutes where Pakistan reiterated its stance against a hybrid model.

Meanwhile, sources said that ICC was considering various options to come up with a solution to the issues regarding Champions Trophy 2025 following India’s refusal to visit Pakistan.

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In this regard, the apex cricketing body is likely to convene another meeting within the next 48 hours to decide on the matter.

It is pertinent to note here that the BCCI has suggested a hybrid model instead of travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The BCCI proposed that India’s matches be held in Dubai.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has categorically rejected such a proposal and insists that it will hold the entirety of the tournament on its soil. A day earlier, reports said that the PCB wrote to the International Cricket Council ahead of the scheduled board meeting.

Sources said that the PCB made it clear that the hybrid model, which would involve holding some matches in a neutral venue, was not acceptable for the Champions Trophy 2025.

READ: Woakes, Carse put England in touching distance of victory in first New Zealand Test

It’s unacceptable that Pakistan visit India but they don’t: Mohsin Naqvi

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, expressed strong dissatisfaction on Thursday regarding India’s refusal to send its cricket team for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

During a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Naqvi emphasised the PCB’s commitment to putting Pakistan cricket first.

“Our stance is very clear,” he declared. “I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket. I’m constantly in touch with the ICC chairman, and my team is talking to them constantly.”

“We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know,” Mohsin Naqvi added.

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“Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved. But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here.”

For the unversed, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has scheduled a crucial board meeting for November 29.

The primary agenda will be to explore the future of the Champions Trophy 2025, which is slated to take place in Pakistan during the February-March window next year.

The board members will weigh various options, including the possibility of implementing a hybrid model, relocating the event entirely to a neutral venue, or postponing the tournament.

READ: Kamran Ghulam’s maiden ODI ton helps Pakistan to post 303-6 against Zimbabwe

PCB appoints Azhar Ali as Head of Youth Development

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former captain Azhar Ali as the Head of Youth Development on Friday following a recruitment process.

Moreover, this role will be an extension of Azhar’s existing responsibilities, as he also serves as a member of the Men’s National Selection Committee.

Azhar, a celebrated figure in Pakistan cricket, began his journey at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in 2002 before transitioning to the senior national team.

Over a distinguished career spanning 2010 to 2022, he earned 97 Test and 53 ODI caps. He captained the national side in nine Tests and 31 ODIs and was a key member of Pakistan’s historic ICC Champions Trophy-winning squad in 2017.

As the Head of Youth Development, Azhar Ali is responsible for shaping the future of cricket in Pakistan. His role involves designing and implementing comprehensive youth cricket strategies, establishing strong grassroots cricket structures, and creating talent pathways.

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He will also collaborate with regional cricket associations to enhance age-group programs and educate emerging cricketers through the PCB’s Pathways Programme. Additionally, he will organize seminars and clinics to raise awareness about the essential off-field development aspects for aspiring players.

“I am honoured and excited to take on this important role. Having risen through the age-group ranks and played extensive club and domestic cricket, I understand the critical role grassroots development plays in shaping future stars,” said Azhar.

“Significant strides have already been made in this area and I look forward to working with my colleagues to further elevate our youth development programme further.

“Our goal is to identify promising talent and equip them with the tools to excel at the highest level.”

The PCB congratulated Azhar Ali on his appointment and expressed confidence that his experience and vision will significantly contribute to the growth and success of youth cricket in Pakistan.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed to pose with Champions Trophy at Mohatta Palace today

Haris Sohail refutes rumours of retirement

Pakistan all-rounder Haris Sohail vehemently denied the rumours of his retirement from international cricket on Thursday.

Haris voiced his disappointment over the spread of false rumours circulating on social media regarding his career, stating that he has no plans to retire from the game any time soon.

“I have not made any decision to retire, nor do I have any such intention. My full focus is on continuing to play the game that I love,” he said in a statement.

In response to the speculations, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also clarified that they had not received any official communication concerning the retirement of Haris Sohail.

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The 35-year-old all-rounder has represented Pakistan in 16 Test matches, 45 ODIs, and 14 T20Is since making his international debut in 2013. He has amassed a total of 2,806 runs across all formats, including four centuries and 17 half-centuries.

He last donned the national team’s jersey in January last year, when he was selected by then chief selector Shahid Afridi for a three-match ODI series against New Zealand held on home soil.

However, Haris struggled to make a significant impact during this series, posting modest scores of 32, 10, and 22 in his three outings.

Despite his lacklustre performance in the series, the selectors chose to retain Haris in Pakistan’s squad for another ODI series against New Zealand later in the year. But he sustained an injury which led to his exclusion from the entire series.

READ: ‘They look like mummies’: Salman Butt takes a dig at Pakistan players’ fitness