Cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has received a major boost in its bid to host the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, with Afghanistan pledging its participation in the tournament. This assurance was given by Mirwais Ashraf, the president of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), and Naseeb Khan, the CEO, during the ICC Annual Board Meeting in Colombo.The PCB has been working tirelessly to secure the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy, which will be the first major ICC event to be held in Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup. However, there were concerns that some countries might follow India's lead if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided not to send its team to Pakistan.Khalid Mehmood, a former PCB chairman, had recently stated that if India didn't send its team to Pakistan, one could expect teams like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to follow suit and insist on shifting the tournament to an alternative location.However, the ACB officials' assurances to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi have allayed those fears. Afghanistan's participation in the Champions Trophy is a significant development, as it shows that the country is willing to support Pakistan's efforts to host the tournament.The Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan during February and March 2025. It will be the first time that the tournament has been held in Pakistan since 2008.

Pakistan Aims to Secure Runners-Up Spot in Women's Asia Cup Clash with UAEPakistan's women's cricket team faces the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a crucial match of the Women's Asia Cup 2024, with the aim of securing the runners-up spot in their group. After a disappointing loss to arch-rivals India in their opening match, Pakistan bounced back with a convincing victory over Nepal.UAE, on the other hand, has yet to register a win in the tournament, making them the underdogs in this encounter. However, Pakistan cannot afford to take their opponents lightly, as they will be eager to prove their worth and upset the favorites.The match will be played at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka, and is expected to be a closely contested affair. Pakistan will be relying on their experienced players, including captain Bismah Maroof, Nida Dar, and Javeria Khan, to guide them to victory.UAE will be looking to their young and talented players, such as Chaya Mughal and Esha Oza, to make an impact. The team will also be hoping for a strong performance from their captain, Humaira Tasneem, who has been in good form with the bat.The winner of this match will secure the runners-up spot in Group A, which will give them a chance to qualify for the semi-finals. Pakistan will be determined to finish the group stage on a high note and build momentum for the knockout rounds.

Pakistani Journalist's Comparison of Sourav Ganguly and Imam-ul-Haq Sparks OutrageA Pakistani journalist's attempt to compare former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly with Pakistan's batsman Imam-ul-Haq has ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media. The journalist posted photos of the two players, asking fans to choose the better player.The comparison was met with widespread disapproval, as fans pointed out the vast disparity in their respective careers. Ganguly, known affectionately as "Dada," is widely regarded as one of India's greatest cricket captains. During his tenure from 2000 to 2005, he led the team to numerous victories, including the 2003 World Cup final and the NatWest Trophy in 2002.Ganguly's leadership style was characterized by aggression and fearlessness, and he played a pivotal role in nurturing young talents like Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh. His legacy as a captain who instilled confidence and a winning mentality in the Indian cricket team remains unmatched.In contrast, Imam-ul-Haq, while a promising batsman, has yet to establish himself as a consistent performer at the international level. The 28-year-old has played 24 Tests, 72 ODIs, and 2 T20Is, amassing fewer than 5,000 international runs.The journalist's comparison was seen as disrespectful to Ganguly's illustrious career and the immense contribution he has made to Indian cricket. Fans took to social media to express their outrage, with many calling the comparison "absurd" and "outrageous."The incident highlights the deep-rooted rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket. While friendly competition is always welcome, attempts to diminish the achievements of legendary players are likely to be met with strong resistance from fans.

Younis Khan, Pakistan's legendary batsman and former captain, has expressed his belief that the nation's cricket would have achieved remarkable success if the late head coach, Bob Woolmer, had lived longer. Woolmer's untimely demise in 2007 left a profound void in Pakistan's cricketing landscape, and Younis' words suggest that his presence could have steered the team towards greater heights.Woolmer's impact on Pakistan's cricket during his tenure as head coach was undeniable. He instilled a sense of discipline and professionalism within the team, and his tactical acumen helped Pakistan achieve some of its most memorable victories. Younis, who was a member of the squad in 2007, recalled Woolmer's daily routine of sitting down with players after matches to discuss cricket.The tragic passing of Woolmer and the subsequent stress endured by the players during their time in the West Indies led Younis to reconsider his decision to captain Pakistan for an extended period. He felt that the authorities should have provided more assistance to the team during that challenging period.Following the incident, the Pakistan Cricket Board and the government dispatched their own security personnel to the Caribbean to collaborate with the Jamaican police. The investigation ultimately concluded that Woolmer's death was due to natural causes.Younis revealed that Woolmer had been preparing him mentally to assume the role of Pakistan's captain across all formats following the World Cup. However, after what happened in the tournament, Younis changed his mind and became a reluctant captain with no long-term tenure in mind.The team was relocated to a different island after Woolmer's passing, where they were interrogated by local authorities for three days. Younis described this experience as "torture" and emphasized that while players have responsibilities as ambassadors of their country, authorities must also look after their well-being.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has vehemently criticized the reported reluctance of India to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Ali accused several international cricket boards of blindly following the dictates of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).Ali alleged that these boards, including the English, New Zealand, West Indies, and Australian boards, are swayed by the financial incentives offered by the BCCI when their players participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He claimed that these boards would readily agree to any proposal put forward by BCCI President Jay Shah, including the relocation of the Champions Trophy to a neutral venue.Ali also commented on the recent developments involving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. He suggested that Naqvi had been given false hope by other boards that Pakistan would be granted a bilateral series against India after the Champions Trophy, potentially in a third country.However, Ali strongly advocated against Pakistan agreeing to play the bilateral series in a neutral venue if India refused to play in Pakistan. He argued that the PCB should maintain its stance and refuse to compromise on the principle of home advantage.Ali's comments come amidst reports that the Indian cricket team is unlikely to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in 2025. The BCCI is reportedly planning to request the ICC to adopt a hybrid model, with India's matches potentially being played in Sri Lanka or Dubai.The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February to March 2025. Due to tense political relations, Team India has not played in Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008. The last bilateral series between the two nations occurred in 2012-13, with India hosting Pakistan for two T20Is and three ODIs.A similar situation arose during last year's Asia Cup, which was initially planned for Pakistan. However, all of India's matches, including those against Pakistan, were held in Sri Lanka, with the final taking place in Colombo, where India emerged victorious.

Pakistan Opts to Bowl First Against Nepal in Crucial Women's Asia Cup MatchIn a pivotal match at the Women's Asia Cup 2024, Pakistan captain Nida Dar elected to bowl first after winning the toss against Nepal. The decision stems from Pakistan's loss batting first against India in their previous encounter.Pakistan made one change to their lineup, replacing middle-order batter Iram Javed with allrounder Omaima Sohail. Nepal, seeking a victory to secure a semi-final berth alongside India, also bolstered their batting by bringing in wicketkeeper-batter Roma Thapa for Sabnam Rai.The match is being played on the same pitch where India defeated UAE earlier in the day. The boundaries are approximately 59 meters away, but the wind conditions could significantly impact the game. During the first match, the wind direction shifted several times, a factor that both Nepal and Pakistan must consider.Nepal's Lineup:1. Samjhana Khadka2. Sita Rana Magar3. Kabita Kunwar4. Indu Barma (capt)5. Rubina Chhetry6. Puja Mahato7. Kajal Shrestha (wk)8. Roma Thapa9. Kabita Joshi10. Bindu Rawal11. Kritika MarasiniPakistan's Lineup:1. Gull Feroza2. Muneeba Ali (wk)3. Sidra Amin4. Nida Dar (capt)5. Aliya Riaz6. Omaima Sohail7. Fatima Sana8. Tuba Hassan9. Sadia Iqbal10. Nashra Sandhu11. Syeda Aroob Shah

Pakistan's Hasan Ali has expressed his stance on the possibility of India not participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan. In an interview with Samaa TV, Ali echoed the PCB's position that the tournament will take place in Pakistan regardless of India's presence.Ali emphasized the importance of separating sports from politics, noting that many Indian players have expressed their desire to play in Pakistan. However, he acknowledged that India has its own policies and considerations."If we're going there (to India) to play, then they should come to Pakistan too," Ali said. "But if India don't want to come, we'll play without them. Cricket should be played in Pakistan."Reports indicate that India may not travel to Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions. The BCCI is reportedly considering requesting the ICC to move their matches to Sri Lanka or Dubai.The Champions Trophy is scheduled for February-March 2025 in Pakistan. India has not played a bilateral series in Pakistan since 2008 due to strained relations. Their encounters have been limited to ICC tournaments and Asia Cups.Pakistan won the Champions Trophy in 2017, while India claimed the title in 2013 and 2002.Ali's comments highlight the complex relationship between sports and politics, particularly in the context of India-Pakistan cricket. While many fans and players desire to see the two teams compete on Pakistani soil, political tensions may ultimately prevent it.

India's Participation in Pakistan-Hosted Champions Trophy Uncertain, Warns Former PCB ChiefFormer Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Khalid Mahmood has cast doubt on India's participation in the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan early next year. Mahmood, a retired senior bureaucrat, expressed concerns about the potential financial and operational consequences for both the PCB and the ICC if India chooses not to attend.Mahmood emphasized that India's absence could set a precedent for other cricketing nations, further complicating the event's logistics and profitability. "India is the richest cricket board and carries a lot of clout," he said. "If they don't send their team to Pakistan, I foresee even countries like Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh following their path."He warned that such a scenario would significantly reduce the Champions Trophy's revenue potential and increase expenses, leading to a decline in profits. Mahmood advised the PCB to maintain its stance of separating sports from politics to avoid further complications."At this level, you can only lobby and try to convince other boards to be on your side," he said. "India has too much clout in the ICC. It would do no good for Pakistan to adopt a tit-for-tat strategy."Mahmood acknowledged that India's decision to play its matches outside Pakistan would diminish the purpose of Pakistan hosting the ICC event. The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9, 2023.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has vehemently refuted allegations of ball tampering by Team India during the T20 World Cup, as well as similar accusations made by former Pakistan players during the ODI World Cup.Shami dismissed the claims as baseless and accused Pakistan of being perpetually unhappy with India's success. He challenged the accusers to prove their allegations by allowing him to open the ball and demonstrate the absence of any tampering devices."Pakistanis were never happy with us and will never be," Shami said. "Someone said we are being given a different ball, someone said there is a chip in the ball. I have previously mentioned that if I ever get an opportunity or a platform in the future, I would definitely like to open the ball and show whether there is any device inside or not."Shami also criticized former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for his allegations that India's bowlers were using a modified ball with an embedded chip. He dismissed Inzamam's claims as "cartoonish" and accused him of misleading the public."The team that performs against them gets targeted there," Shami said. "Suppose I bowled with the device and pressed the button incorrectly. I intended to bowl an inswinger but it turned into an outswinger, resulting in a boundary. This kind of cartoonish behavior can happen elsewhere; these are just ways to fool the public."Shami pointed out that India's bowlers have a proven track record of reverse swing, and that Arshdeep Singh's ability to reverse the ball in the 15th over of the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan was a testament to their skill."If it was Pakistani bowlers (reverse swinging the ball) this would have been a big issue," Shami said. "We know reverse swing very well and if Arshdeep can come in the 15th over and start reversing the ball, it means some serious work had been done before."Shami also revealed that Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma are his best friends within the Indian cricket team, who have supported him during his recent ankle injury.