Tag: PM Shehbaz Sharif

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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The Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif extended his heartfelt congratulations to the national men’s cricket team over the historic ODI series victory against Australia.

Pakistan, under newly-appointed captain Mohammad Rizwan, defeated Australia in the third ODI by eight wickets in Perth to win their first series Down Under since 2002.

The visitors lost the first match of the three-match series by two wickets, however, they staged an impressive comeback to win the series 2-1.

Following the victory, Shehbaz Sharif took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account and praised the national cricket team for their dominant performance.

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“Big Day for Pakistani Cricket. Congratulations to the Pakistan cricket team on their historic ODI series victory against Australia. After 22 years, Pakistan has defeated Australia on their home ground, and that too, in a convincing manner,” the PM stated.

He also lauded the leadership of Mohsin Naqvi, who is serving as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“This victory was the result of unity and teamwork of their brilliant players; as well as efforts of coaching staff and the PCB under the able leadership of Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. May this be the start of a great and glorious period for Pakistani Cricket,” he added.

READ: Former cricketers react after Pakistan’s historic series victory against Australia

LAHORE: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to reform the country’s cricket after their disappointing campaigns in the ODI and T20 World Cups.

Addressing the upgradation ceremony for the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today, the prime minister reiterated the resolve to bring back Pakistan’s lost glory in the world of cricket.

He directed the PCB chief to focus more on the cricket team.

“Cricket team should be selected on merit and domestic system needs to be improved,” said PM Shehbaz Sharif.

He emphasised that the team should be reformed and players should be selected on merit.

For the unversed, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has handed over the power to make cricket decisions to former captain Waqar Younis.

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The sources revealed that Naqvi would oversee the administrative affairs only, while Waqar would be responsible for all the decisions regarding international and domestic selection committees, players’ No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and other important cricket matters.

According to the PCB Constitution 2014, the chairman has the authority to delegate his power to someone, thereby enabling the transfer of powers to Waqar Younis.

Meanwhile, Naqvi himself is currently focused on administrative affairs including the upgradation of stadiums for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan.

PM Shehbaz also expressed satisfaction that steps are being taken to rebuild the infrastructure of the Gaddafi Stadium on modern lines, oversaw by Mohsin Naqvi.

“There is a real need to modernize cricket stadiums,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that PCB is reconstructing stadiums for the champions trophy scheduled in 2025.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place from February to March next year in Pakistan at three different venues.

The teams that qualified for the Champions Trophy 2025 include Pakistan (hosts), India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, England, and Bangladesh.

READ: PCB confirms window for PSL 2025

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate the irregularities of the elections of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and other matters, ARY News reported. 

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken notice of irregularities in various matters, including the elections of the PHF.

He has directed for a thorough investigation into these matters and has also instructed for a reference to be sent to the FIA.

Last month, on July 19, a special committee chaired by Khawaja Asif convened to discuss the PHF matters. Following the meeting, recommendations were formulated to address the irregularities and were subsequently forwarded to PM Shehbaz Sharif.

In light of these recommendations, PM Shehbaz Sharif has ordered transparent conduct of the PHF elections, ensuring a fair process. He has also directed a comprehensive review of the Hockey Clubs and the Electoral College.

The Pakistan Sports Board will implement the Prime Minister’s directives.

It is evident that the state of national sport hockey is dire, and recently, the performance of the Pakistan team in the Asian Champions Trophy held in India was notably inadequate.

The national team was knocked out of the Asian Champions Trophy, after facing a daunting 0-4 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India on Wednesday.

Pakistan ended up with the same points as Japan and South Korea, however, it failed to qualify due to goal difference, as the other two teams progressed to the next round.

The green shirts failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy for the first time since its inception in 2011.

In this aforementioned event, Pakistan secured a sole victory in the match against China, while facing defeats against Malaysia and India and managing draws against Japan and Korea.

READ: Pakistan women’s squad for white-ball series against South Africa unveiled

LAHORE: The Prime Minister of Pakistan and Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Patron-in-Chief Mr Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, appointed Mr Ahmed Shehzad Farooq Rana, former Deputy Attorney General and ex-Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association as the Election Commissioner of the cricket board.

According to the PCB, the Premier, in accordance with Article 29 of the PCB Constitution 2014, appointed Mr Rana as the election commissioner, who after assuming the charge met the chairman of the PCB management committee Najam Sethi and discussed the election process.

“Following the notification, Mr Rana assumed charge on Thursday and met the Chair of the PCB Management Committee, Mr Najam Sethi, to discuss the elections process, which will commence with elections in approximately 50 districts,” stated PCB.

“In this regard, and in consultation with the Chair of the PCB Management Committee, Mr Rana has appointed 13 Deputy Election Commissioners, who will be responsible for conducting free, fair and transparent elections in the districts.

“These 13 Deputy Election Commissioners are Abdul Malik, Ahsan Ahmed Jatoi, Ch Asim Rasheed, Farhan Zia, Khalid Mitro, Khawar Mehmood, Khushal Kasi, Malik Sardar Khan, Mohsin Shabbir Bhatti, Mubashar Maqsood Jaffar, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Yar Khan and Shahid Qayum.”

It is worth mentioning that PCB’s Patron on December 21, restored PCB Constitution 2014 and named a 13-member management committee led by Sethi to run the affairs of the cricket board and to hold the elections within 120 days from the aforementioned date.

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ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif have backed the Pakistan team following its loss to England in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, ARY News reported on Sunday.

Taking to Twitter, President Dr Arif Alvi said Pakistan tried their best despite a low score while congratulating England to win the World Cup.

“Congratulations England, good all-round performance to lift the cup. Well played Pakistan, you bowled good and tried your best despite a low score,” the President wrote.

Congratulations England, good all-round performance to lift the cup. Well played Pakistan, you bowled good and tried your best despite a low score.

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) November 13, 2022

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz credited the team for ‘hard and brave’ fightback and hailed the bowling performance. “We are proud of our boys in green for making it to the final match of this mega tournament,” he tweeted.

Team Pakistan 🇵🇰 fought back hard & brave. Great bowling performance. But England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 played better today. We are proud of our boys in green for making it to the final match of this mega tournament. 👏

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 13, 2022

All-rounder Ben Stokes held his nerves strong to cruise England to their second T20 World Cup victory as they defeat Pakistan by five wickets in the final, here at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.

Set to chase 138, England completed the tricky run chase in 19 overs despite a strong attack put up by the Pakistan bowling department, thanks to their all-rounder Stokes, who powered his side to victory at the back of his brilliant half-century.

England were off to a poor start to their run chase as they lost their in-form opener, Alex Hales, in the first over, courtesy of a magnificent in-swinger by Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Jos Buttler and Harry Brook then attempted to anchor the run chase with a scratchy 25-run partnership for the second wicket but Haris Rauf struck in his first over to break the budding partnership as he removed the latter for just 10.

Haris then struck in his next over to put an end to Buttler’s struggling knock, who could manage to score 26 off 20 deliveries.

With England 45/3 in the sixth over, Stokes then stitched two vital partnerships with Harry Brook (20) and Moeen Ali (19) and added 39 and 48 runs for the fourth and fifth wicket respectively.

With 12 required in 18 deliveries, Stokes held his nerves calm and steered his side to second T20 World Cup glory with six balls to spare. The left-handed batter top-scored for England with an unbeaten 52 off 49 deliveries, laced with five boundaries and a six.

Haris led the bowling attack for Pakistan with two wickets, while Shaheen, Shadab and Wasim Jr made one scalp each. Sam Curran starred with impressive bowling figures of 3/12 as England bowlers ran through the batting line to restrict Pakistan to 137/8.

READ: Sam Curran headlines ICC T20 World Cup 2022 awards list