Tag: World Cup 2023

KARACHI: Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz said Pakistan should play the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India as the uncertainty over the team playing the mega event in the neighbouring country looms large.

Punjab’s Sports Minister Wahab Riaz shared his views about Pakistan’s participation as the world champion in the ARY News sports show Bouncer. The left-arm bowler said Pakistan should follow its saying that “politics should be separate from sports”.

The provincial minister said that Indian cricketers are friendly towards their Pakistani counterparts but can’t tour the country as they cannot go against the government’s decision.

Moreover, the cricketer added that India should have toured Pakistan for the Asia Cup. He said Green Shirts should participate in the World Cup under any situation.

He also said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does what it wants as it is the most influential cricket board.

Wahab Riaz, speaking about himself, said he does not only want to play in the World Cup but also to play more for the country. He added he is trying to make a comeback for the national team, but it might be too late for him. 

The cricketer said the team is performing well. The pacer added the team’s bowling unit is good, but there is a shortage of bowlers who can bowl their 10 overs.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan’s last tour of India was in 2012-2013 when the two sides bilateral series for the last time. 

Since then, the two sides have only met in ICC and regional tournaments.

Speaking to the media in Lahore on Monday, Wahab Riaz requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to let him practise at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), albeit he is not invited to the specialised camps.

Wahab Riaz further said it was the board’s own choice not to call him for the specialised camps for the bowlers, starting later this month at the NCA.

“It is their (PCB’s) choice if they did not invite me to bowlers’ camps,” he told reporters while attending the Torch Lighting ceremony for the DC Lahore Young Games 2023.

On Friday, PCB called up 13 spinners and 11 fast bowlers for the two camps that will run from 10 till 15 June (for spinners) and 16 till 21 June (for fast bowlers).

“I will continue my bowling practice at the NCA,” added Wahab Riaz, besides requesting the PCB to allow him to use the facility for the purpose.

 

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HARARE: Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) on Friday, unveiled a strong 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, scheduled to take place from June 18 to July 9.

The hosts have opted to name a side full of experienced internationals, with wicketkeeper-batter Joylord Gumbie being the only uncapped member in the squad.

They will have all the big names available at their disposal in their bid to qualify for the tournament later in the year in India, with Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Sean Williams and skipper Craig Ervine all selected.

Quicks Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava will lead the pace attack for the hosts and will be complemented by Wellington Masakadza.

Other regulars like Bradley Evans, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe and Innocent Kaia are also included in the 15-member squad.

Notably, ZC arranged a six-match One-Day series against Pakistan Shaheens last month to help Zimbabwe fine-tune for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 that will be staged across four venues in Harare and Bulawayo.

In a bid to prepare for the upcoming qualifiers, ZC retained almost all players who were part of the Zimbabwe squad that faced the Netherlands in March, for the 50-over series against Pakistan Shaheens.

The hosts made the most of their home conditions and benefitted from the experience of their first-choice players to seal the six-match series 4-2 against Pakistan Shaheens.

The hosts have been included in Group A and will open up their tournament against Nepal on June 18. They will then face off against the Netherlands and West Indies before ending their group-stage commitments against the USA on June 26.

The top three teams from both groups will qualify for the Super Six, with the two finalists progressing to the showpiece tournament scheduled to be held later in the year in India.

Zimbabwe Squad: Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara, Craig Ervine, Bradley Evans, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday, stood firm on their stance regarding participation in this year’s ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in India amid the high-stakes meeting with International Cricket Council (ICC) top officials.

According to the details, the PCB categorically informed the ICC officials – Chairman Greg Barclay and Chief Executive Geoff Allardice – that the board will follow the orders of the Pakistan government for the World Cup if the Indian team does not travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup.

Details further suggest that the important meeting between the two parties also failed to come to a conclusion regarding an increase in PCB’s share in the ICC revenue while Asian Cricket Council (ACC) issues were also discussed in the meeting.

Consequently, the negotiations between PCB and ICC officials will resume tomorrow.

It is pertinent to mention that ICC’s supreme delegation arrived in Lahore on Tuesday morning on a two-day visit to meet the PCB’s top officials.

International Cricket Council’s high-ups were received by the Chair of the PCB Management Committee Mr Najam Sethi (also an ICC Director) when they reached the board’s headquarters at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Barrister Salman Naseer and other board officials were also present on the occasion.

The visit is believed to be of enormous importance since it came at a time when the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) were at odds over the fate of the 2023 Asia Cup.

Notably, it is the first time Mr Barclay, ICC Chairman, has visited the country. However, Mr Allardice has regularly visited Pakistan, first as ICC General Manager – Cricket and then as ICC Chief Executive.

Mr Barclay is also the first ICC Chairman to tour Pakistan since ICC President Ray Mali’s visit in 2008. This will also be the first time since October 2004 that both the top two ICC officials together visited the Pakistan cricket headquarters.

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NEW YORK: The United States of America (USA) on Friday, named a strong 15-member under the leadership of Moyank Patel for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup Qualifier, scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe in June.

After securing the top position in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Playoff, USA will head to Zimbabwe next month to look to wrestle their way to India for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup later in the year.

Led by Monank Patel, and sporting some familiar names across departments, USA have named 15 players that will travel to Zimbabwe for Cricket World Cup Qualifier that begins on 18 June.

28-year-old Aaron Jones will act as deputy to Patel while the USA squad also features the stars from the Qualifier Playoff. Ali Khan, who led the wicket-taking chart with 16 scalps, including a stunning haul of 7/42 in the key clash against Jersey, will lead the pace attack.

USA are placed alongside West Indies, Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Nepal in Group A.

USA Squad: Monank Patel (c), Aaron Jones (vc), Abhishek Paradkar, Ali Khan, Gajanand Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Kyle Philip, Nisarg Patel, Nostush Kenjige, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Saurabh Netravalkar, Shayan Jahangir, Steven Taylor, Sushant Modani, Usman Rafiq.

READ: Haris Rauf to captain Lahore Qalandars in exhibition game against PCB XI

AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands Cricket on Wednesday, named their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.

DUBLIN: Cricket Ireland on Wednesday, have named a strong 15-member squad for the crucial 10-team 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe next month.

Andrew Balbirnie will lead a strong Ireland side, abundant with pacers, in the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, from which two teams would make it to the main event in India later in the year.

The Qualifier begins from June 18 and will see ten teams, including West Indies and Sri Lanka, competing for two places.

The Ireland squad has several pace options in Mark Adair, Josh Little, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Graham Hume and Curtis Campher. But considering the conditions, they have also opted to go with Ben White, who recently made his Test debut in Bangladesh.

“We’re heading into a big few months and it’s looking at what personnel we need from a tactical point of view, who are in form, and a squad composition that suits the conditions we are likely to face,” Andrew White, the Ireland men’s team selector, said.

“In the latter stages of the tournament, for example, we are likely to be playing on used pitches, so that’s where we see the value of a Ben White coming to the fore.”

“But before we look too far ahead, we have to start well and we’ve put together what we think is our best squad to meet that challenge. With a seam attack of Adair, Little, Young, McCarthy, Hume and Campher we feel we’re heading towards our best attack once more, while PJ Moor’s experience in Zimbabwean conditions and his versatility batting anywhere from 1 to 7 gives us great cover.”

Moor has already played Test cricket for Ireland since his move from Zimbabwe, but is yet to play ODIs for them with his last international fifty-over match coming in 2019 for Zimbabwe.

Stephen Doheny misses out on the squad after recently playing in the series against Zimbabwe earlier in the year.

“Qualifier events are tough, cut-throat competitions at times and a balance of talent, form and experience is essential,” White stressed.

“We believe we have achieved that and I know that Irish supporters will be right behind the players and staff in their quest for World Cup qualification.”

Ireland squad: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.

READ: Worcestershire pacer Josh Tongue added to England’s squad for Ireland Test

Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq picked Faheem Ashraf over Mohammad Wasim Jr for the upcoming ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

With this year’s extravaganza just a few months away, former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq came up with a suggestion regarding the all-rounder spot for Pakistan.

While speaking to a local TV channel, Abdul Razzaq was asked to pick between Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Wasim Jr as to who should be selected to represent the country in this year’s world cup.

The legendary all-rounder threw his weight behind Faheem Ashraf; citing the latter’s experience.

“If we judge experience-wise, then Faheem Ashraf should go for World Cup,” said Razzaq.

Meanwhile, Abdul Razzaq also questioned Wasim Jr’s selection and development in the national team as the former all-rounder believes that the latter was promoted to the international circuit without sufficient exposure in the domestic structure.

“If we talk about Mohammad Wasim Jr, we brought him from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. I think he was selected for the Pakistan team too early,” Abdul Razzaq said.

“Wasim Jr should have played more domestic cricket and bowled longer spells over there before getting selected. Now, he plays few matches for Pakistan and then sits out in the rest of the matches. You can never groom a player like that,” he added.

However, Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming World Cup has been in jeopardy after the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) refused to travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup on political grounds and has since been pushing to shift the tournament to a neutral venue.

The BCCI maintained its stance of not touring Pakistan for the Asia Cup, while the PCB was adamant that if they do not, then Pakistan might not travel to India for the World Cup in October-November.

As per the latest development, however, the BCCI has reportedly accepted PCB’s hybrid model which meant that Pakistan will host the first four matches of the tournament while India’s group stage matches and Super 4s matches will be contested on a neutral venue.

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Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has come out in support of Babar Azam, saying the star batter should be officially named as Pakistan’s captain for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup, scheduled later this year.

Left-arm pacer Amir emphasized that Pakistan had no better option than the right-hander to lead the team at the mega event.

Babar, who has been Pakistan’s regular captain in every format since 2019, is awaiting any official announcement from the Pakistan Cricket Board pertaining to his retention as the national team’s skipper for the showpiece event in India.

Amir, however, has regretted this unnecessary delay in confirming Pakistan’s captain for the World Cup since he believes that no player fits the job other than Babar at this point.

“It’s high time that the board should announce (team captain) with only three to four months left in the World Cup,” he said in an interview on his official Youtube channel.

“There is no reason to change the captain at this point. It doesn’t make any sense. So, it’s better to officially name Babar Azam (as Pakistan captain) just like PCB announced the head coach.”

“The amount of experience that he has as a captain, there is no better option than him.” he maintained.

He went on to say that the official announcement would give Babar clarity of mind after which he could sit with the management and help them with the team selection.

It must be noted that the 28-year-old has so far led Pakistan in 115 international matches across formats since 2019 when he was given the rein for the first time.

He has a formidable record as an ODI captain as he secured 17 wins out of 26 matches, maintaining a 66 per cent win ratio.

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ANTIGUA: The Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Friday, announced the appointments of their new head coaches – Darren Sammy and Andrey Coley – for their national men’s senior team in white-ball and red-ball formats respectively. 

West Indies’ most successful T20I captain Sammy is up for a new role for his national side as the former all-rounder has been named the head coach of the white ball – ODIs and T20I – teams.

Meanwhile, former wicketkeeper batter Andrey Cole was named the head coach of the senior men’s red-ball teams.

After assuming the new role, Darren Sammy’s first assignment will be the three-match ODI Series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sharjah in June.

Following this, West Indies will partake in ICC Men’s World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe, which will feature 10 teams including West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Oman, Nepal, USA and UAE.

Speaking on his appointment, Darren Sammy termed it a big challenge but at the same time is upbeat and looking forward to the opportunity.

“It will be a challenge but one that I’m ready for and excited about. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity, especially looking at the players we have and the impact that I believe I can have in the dressing room.

“I believe I will bring the same approach as I had as a player: the passion, the desire for success, and my undying love for West Indies cricket. When I look around there is an abundance of talent, and what I saw in South Africa in the white ball matches under new captains Shai Hope and Rovman Powell and the leadership provided by Andre Coley, there is great belief that we can do well.

“I’m looking forward to imparting my knowledge, my tactical acumen, my communication skills and my man-management skills. I get excited about putting the plans together and seeing the players execute them.”

It is worth mentioning here that Darren Sammy powered West Indies to two T20 World Cup triumphs in 2012 and 2016.

Following his retirement from international cricket, the all-rounder represented several teams in different franchise leagues across the world. He has also coached teams in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

READ: PCB confirms Grant Bradburn Pakistan men’s team’s head coach

CHELMSFORD: The first ODI of the ongoing three-match series between Ireland and Bangladesh was abandoned due to persistent rain here and ended the hosts’ hopes for automatic qualification to the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

The washout, however, turned out to be very fortunate for South Africa as they edged Ireland in the Cricket World Cup Super League points table and booked their spot in this year’s mega event.

The most recent changes in the race for automatic spots had come after Sri Lanka’s unsuccessful series against New Zealand, and South Africa’s two recent wins over the Netherlands in a home series.

South Africa gave themselves every opportunity to automatically qualify for this year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in their last home series against the Netherlands.

The Proteas’ series victory propelled them past the West Indies into the eighth and final slot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League standings.

However, their prospects of automatic qualification were still dependent on Ireland’s ODIs against Bangladesh. A 3-0 series victory for Ireland would have tied them on points with South Africa if no penalty points were awarded.

The net run rate would still have come into play for the last slot, but since Ireland’s first ODI against Bangladesh was called off on Tuesday, the Proteas have secured their place in the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Ireland will have to play the Qualifiers in Zimbabwe in June.

Teams – Qualified for ICC Men’s ODI World Cup:

India (hosts), New Zealand, England, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, South Africa.

Cricket World Cup Qualifier Teams: 10 (West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Oman, Nepal, USA, UAE).

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