Cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to host the 2025 Champions Trophy in three cities: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The tournament is scheduled to take place in mid-February next year.According to ESPNcricinfo, the draft schedule has India based in and playing all their matches in Lahore, where the final is also scheduled to take place. This move is believed to have been proposed to avoid logistical and security challenges associated with India's travel. Additionally, Lahore's proximity to the Wagah border crossing between India and Pakistan makes it easier for Indian fans to attend the matches.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has sent a draft schedule of the tournament to the ICC for discussion. The major sticking point is likely to be whether the Indian team will travel to Pakistan. No Indian team has played in Pakistan since the 2008 Champions Trophy due to strained relations between the two governments.Last year, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup using a hybrid model, with India playing all their games in Sri Lanka. However, this model was not pursued for the ODI World Cup in India last year, with Pakistan playing all their games in India.The final decision on whether India will visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy rests with the Indian government, not the BCCI. Naqvi expressed hope that all eight teams will participate in the event in Pakistan, but did not comment specifically on India's position.The Champions Trophy is the first ICC event Pakistan will host since the 1996 World Cup. Pakistan was originally scheduled to host the 2008 Champions Trophy, but it was postponed and relocated to South Africa due to security concerns. Pakistan also lost out on co-hosting duties for the 2011 ODI World Cup after the 2009 terror attacks on the Sri Lanka team.Since the return of international cricket to Pakistan in 2015, every team involved in the Champions Trophy has toured and played in Pakistan, except India. Pakistan are the defending champions of the event, last held in 2017.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India's qualifying round matches during the 2025 Champions Trophy be scheduled exclusively in one city. This decision aims to streamline logistics and ensure efficient organization while maximizing the tournament's success.The PCB, which will host the prestigious event, has selected Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore as the venues for the tournament, with Lahore hosting the final match. By concentrating India's matches in one city, the PCB seeks to enhance the overall experience for players, officials, and spectators alike."The ICC general manager Wasim Khan also recently visited Lahore where he discussed the CT arrangements with the PCB top brass and it was suggested that the Indian team's travel itinerary be kept to a minimum," a PCB source informed.The source further disclosed that India might play its initial qualifying round matches in Karachi before transitioning to other venues for the knockout stages. Notably, the Indian cricket team hasn't competed in Pakistan since 2008, with their cricketing interactions limited solely to ICC tournaments.In the previous year, the Indian cricket board opted not to send the national team for the Asia Cup, which was ultimately conducted in Pakistan and Sri Lanka using a hybrid model.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reiterated that all participating teams will honor their commitments to play in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan as scheduled. Additionally, he revealed that stadium renovation work is set to begin shortly, with the tournament anticipated to take place in February-March 2025.The PCB's proposal to schedule India's matches in one city is a strategic move to ensure smooth operations and minimize travel disruptions for the Indian team. This decision reflects the PCB's commitment to hosting a successful and memorable Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has postponed the announcement of its T20 World Cup squad until late May, citing fitness and performance concerns surrounding several players. The PCB intends to reveal its squad on May 23 or 24, adhering to the ICC's deadline for teams to adjust their squads without consulting the WC Technical Committee.The management and selectors are closely monitoring the niggling injuries of Muhammad Rizwan, Azam Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, and Haris Rauf. Their performances, along with others, during the tours of Ireland and England will be scrutinized before finalizing the squad.The selectors will first announce the squad for the forthcoming tours, after which the team management and selectors will evaluate the fitness and performance of the chosen players before making the World Cup squad public. India, Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand have all announced their WC squads to date."It (delay) doesn't matter because all these teams can change their entire squad by 24th May after that changes can only be allowed on fitness or injury basis with approval of the technical committee," a PCB source said. "That is why the PCB and selectors have decided to hold off until after the first match in England."The source emphasized that the selectors aim to provide Babar Azam and other players with ample time to re-establish their camaraderie and cohesion in the dressing room before unveiling the World Cup squad. This extended period will enable the team to foster the kind of unity and synergy crucial for a successful campaign. The selectors are keen on creating an environment where players feel comfortable and connected, laying a strong foundation for the challenges ahead in the World Cup."For the time being we have sent a provisional squad to the ICC for public relations and promotion purposes," the source said.

Pakistan's Babar Azam has made significant strides in the ICC Men's T20I batter rankings, closing the gap on India's Suryakumar Yadav at the summit. Azam's impressive performance in the recently concluded series against New Zealand, where he amassed 125 runs in four innings, has propelled him to fourth place in the rankings.Azam's consistent batting displays have earned him a 10-point boost in his rating, bringing it to 763. He now trails Yadav by just 98 rating points, setting the stage for an intriguing battle for the top spot ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in June.Azam's teammate Fakhar Zaman has also made notable progress, climbing 10 places to 62nd position. Zaman's aggressive batting style yielded 104 runs in the series, showcasing his ability to contribute to Pakistan's batting lineup.New Zealand's Tim Seifert has emerged as a standout performer in the latest rankings update. The right-hander's impressive 85 runs in the series, compiled at a strike rate of 144.06, have seen him jump seven places to equal seventh position.The T20I bowler rankings have also witnessed some notable changes. Pakistan's pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi has moved up three places to 14th position after claiming eight wickets in four matches against New Zealand.With the ICC Men's T20 World Cup approaching, the latest rankings update provides a glimpse into the form and potential of the world's leading T20I players. Babar Azam's resurgence and the rise of other talented individuals promise an exciting tournament filled with intense competition and thrilling performances.

Pakistan's women's cricket team has announced a 17-member squad for their upcoming tour of England, which will feature three T20Is and as many ODIs. The squad is led by experienced all-rounder Nida Dar and includes several key players from the ongoing white-ball series against West Indies.The only notable omissions from the squad are Bismah Maroof, who recently retired from international cricket, and Sidra Nawaz, who was part of the ODI squad but did not play a game. The official squad announcement does not distinguish between players selected for the T20I and ODI legs of the series, suggesting that all 17 players will be available for both formats.Pakistan's tour of England comes after a disappointing home series against West Indies, where they narrowly missed out on victories in several matches. West Indies, led by the impressive Hayley Matthews, won the ODI series 3-0 and have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.Pakistan will be hoping to turn their fortunes around in England, where they will face a tough challenge against one of the world's top teams. The T20I matches will be played on May 11, 17, and 19, while the ODIs will follow on May 23, 26, and 29. Pakistan will also play a warm-up T20 on May 9 and a one-day game on May 21 against an ECB Development XI side.The ODIs are part of the ICC Women's Championship 2022-25, with this being Pakistan's eighth and final series in the current cycle. Pakistan are currently fifth with 16 points on the ten-team table, with the top five qualifying for the 2025 ODI World Cup directly.

Pakistan's newly appointed head coach Gary Kirsten has set an ambitious target for the national cricket team: to win at least one of the three upcoming ICC events in the next three years. These events include two T20 World Cups (2024 and 2026) and the 2025 ODI Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host.Kirsten, who is currently the mentor of IPL side Gujarat Titans, believes that winning one of these major tournaments would be a significant achievement for Pakistan. "If you can win one of those three ICC Events, that will be an amazing achievement on its own," he said.The former South Africa batter is expected to take charge of his new job from May 22 ahead of Pakistan's tour of England. He admitted that the time frame for preparations for the T20 World Cup in June is short, but he is confident that the team can build a solid foundation in the next three weeks.Kirsten emphasized the importance of creating a positive environment for the players to perform at their best. "My job is to make sure that the team operates at its best. If the team is operating at its best, we will always have a good chance of winning a trophy," he said.He also highlighted the immense talent within the Pakistan team, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf. "I'm looking forward to understanding what makes them tick and how I can help them to be the best versions of themselves going forward," he said.Kirsten believes that Pakistan has the potential to be one of the top teams in the world. "The view on Pakistan cricket hasn't shifted for a long time. There is always an expectation that it should be a high performing team all the time," he said. "It's always wonderful from a coaching perspective when you can help them unlock the real potential."

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the 2023 Champions Trophy will be held entirely within Pakistan, with matches scheduled to take place in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The decision comes amidst speculation that the tournament could adopt a "hybrid model" to accommodate India's participation.The PCB remains adamant about hosting the tournament within the country's borders, despite ongoing rumors suggesting a potential 'hybrid model' to accommodate India's participation. The board has sent the schedule for the matches to the ICC and is confident that it can provide a safe and secure environment for the event.The ICC's security team has already visited Pakistan and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements. The PCB is also working to upgrade the facilities at the three proposed venues to ensure they meet international standards.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said at a press conference in Lahore, "We are trying to ensure we host a very good tournament in Pakistan." He added that the board is committed to providing a memorable experience for all participants and fans.The PCB has been steadfast in insisting that the tournament will not be altered in any way to accommodate India. The 'Hybrid Model' of hosting was used in the Asia Cup last year, with India's matches held in Sri Lanka even though Pakistan was the official host.However, the PCB has made it clear that it will not accept any such arrangement for the Champions Trophy. Naqvi said, "We have not received any official communication from the ICC regarding a hybrid model. We are confident that we can host the entire tournament in Pakistan."The PCB is confident that it can host a successful Champions Trophy in 2023. The tournament will be a major boost for Pakistan cricket and will help to promote the country as a safe and welcoming destination for international sports events.

Pakistan's newly appointed Test head coach, Jason Gillespie, emphasizes the importance of authenticity and consistency for the team's success. Gillespie believes that the players should embrace their natural style of play and avoid altering it to fit a specific method. He encourages them to maintain a positive and aggressive approach, even during the challenging grind of Test cricket.Gillespie acknowledges the talent within the Pakistani squad but stresses the need for improved consistency. He aims to provide clarity and communication to the team, fostering a strong bond and a shared understanding of how to approach Test cricket.The former Australian pace bowler highlights the team's strengths, including skilled batsmen and fast bowlers who can swing the ball. He also recognizes the potential of the spinners. Gillespie believes that by harnessing these resources effectively, Pakistan can achieve success.Gillespie's role as a selector will allow him to play a more active role in shaping the team's future. He emphasizes the importance of transparency and open communication in the selection process.Gillespie's ultimate goal is to help Pakistan become a formidable force in Test cricket. He believes that by instilling a sense of ownership and responsibility in the players, the team can achieve its full potential.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has defended the decision to conduct a military training camp for players during the final days of Ramzan, despite concerns that it may have contributed to recent muscle injuries.The camp, held at Kakul, Pakistan's premier military training academy, was intended to enhance player fitness and power. However, following the camp, several key players, including Azam Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, and Irfan Niazi, sustained injuries that sidelined them during the home series against New Zealand.Naqvi dismissed claims that the camp was responsible for the injuries, emphasizing that fitness training does not cause injuries. He acknowledged that Pakistan players' fitness levels lag behind their international counterparts and vowed to prioritize fitness in the future.Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan's assistant coach, echoed Naqvi's sentiments, stating that the injuries occurred during cricket matches and were unrelated to the military training. He pointed out that the players who sustained injuries had participated in the first game of the series.The PCB has maintained that the injuries are minor and will not result in long-term unavailability. Pakistan is scheduled to tour Ireland and England for seven T20I matches and will announce a preliminary World Cup squad by May 1.The military training camp was initiated by Naqvi, who expressed concern over the lack of six-hitting power among Pakistani players. He emphasized the need for improved fitness to enhance power and performance.While the camp's timing, coinciding with the final phase of Ramzan, raised concerns, the PCB cited precedent for military involvement in Pakistan cricket training. Misbah-ul-Haq's Pakistan team famously organized a similar camp before a Test series against England, which resulted in a drawn series and Pakistan's rise to the top of the Test rankings.