Cricket

India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled for February-March next year, remains uncertain due to political tensions with Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that the decision will depend on the Indian government's approval.Despite the ongoing political impasse, Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav expressed his willingness to play in Pakistan if given the opportunity. "As cricketers, we will play wherever we are sent. I have never been to Pakistan before, so I am excited. The Pakistani people are great, and whenever we get the chance, we will definitely go and play there," Yadav said.Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dismissed reports that the Champions Trophy could be rescheduled due to security concerns. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi clarified that the tournament will take place in Pakistan as planned, with the dates potentially subject to minor adjustments.To prepare for the event, the PCB has initiated a major renovation project at three iconic venues: National Stadium in Karachi, Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium, and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The project, estimated to cost Rs 12.8 billion, aims to upgrade the stadiums to international standards.Naqvi emphasized the need for improved facilities, stating, "There's a huge difference in international stadiums and those of ours [...] none of our stadiums are of international standard." He expressed confidence that the stadiums will be ready for the Champions Trophy, with the PCB coordinating closely with security agencies.The PCB has submitted a draft schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC), proposing dates from February 19 to March 9, 2025. The board remains committed to hosting a world-class event and providing an unforgettable experience for cricket fans.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has expressed his disappointment over the team's humiliating 10-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in the Rawalpindi Test. This was the first time Pakistan had lost to Bangladesh in the longest format of the game, sending shockwaves through the nation.Naqvi attributed the loss to multiple factors, including skipper Shan Masood's captaincy, team selection, the performances of top batters like Babar Azam, and the inability of pacers like Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah to deliver with the ball.Former Pakistan cricketers have also criticized the selectors for not picking talented players from the domestic pool. However, Naqvi believes that there aren't many quality players in Pakistan's domestic pool to choose from."It was a very disappointing loss," Naqvi said. "The problem is the selection committee has no pool to turn to."Naqvi had promised a "surgery" after Pakistan's early elimination from the T20 World Cup 2024, but the same problems resurfaced in the first Test against Bangladesh. While the PCB chief remains keen to find a solution, he admitted that there aren't many quality players to choose from."We want to fix our problems," Naqvi said, "but when we look at how to resolve them, we don't have any solid data or (elite) players pool which we can draw from."After the first match, Pakistan captain Shan Masood accepted that mistakes were made by him and the team."Never to make an excuse, it (the pitch) didn't play the way we thought it would. Also the weather had been around in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, it rained around 8-9 days before the first day of play. Firstly looking at the pitch, we expected it to do a bit more. With three pace bowlers, they were gonna be pushed to the limit. At the end of the day, we got it wrong," he said.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed concern over the lack of depth in the national team, highlighting the absence of a robust feeder system to replace underperforming players.Naqvi's comments come after Pakistan's historic Test defeat to Bangladesh, a result that has raised questions about the team's overall strength. He acknowledged that the selection committee faces a shortage of viable options to replace struggling players."The problem is the selection committee has no pool to turn to from which to select players," Naqvi said. "We need to fix our problems, but we don't have any solid data or player pool to draw from."Naqvi believes that the newly created Champions Cup, a domestic one-day tournament, will provide a platform to identify and develop talented players. He emphasized the importance of data and records in making informed selection decisions."This Cup will make domestic cricket strong, we'll have a pool of 150 players, and then the selection committee will do the necessary surgery," Naqvi said. "We can't dump someone unless we have a better one to replace them."Naqvi also defended the selection committee's decision not to play a frontline spinner in the Rawalpindi Test against Bangladesh, stating that it was a tactical choice made by the captain, coach, and team management.However, Naqvi acknowledged the need for systemic improvements in the domestic structure, which has been plagued by neglect and frequent changes. He emphasized the importance of developing a sustainable pipeline of talented players to ensure the long-term success of the national team.

Pakistan cricket has hit a new low after suffering a historic 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the Rawalpindi Test, marking the visitors' first-ever Test win on Pakistani soil. The humiliating loss has sparked outrage and criticism from former cricketer Ahmed Shehzad, who has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its flawed strategy and selection policies.Shehzad, in a video posted on social media, expressed his frustration and disappointment over Pakistan's dismal performance. He described the defeat as a "new low" for the team, highlighting the poor batting, bowling, and fielding that contributed to the embarrassing loss.The former opener also criticized the PCB for making short-term decisions that have led to a decline in the team's performance, similar to the downfall of Pakistani hockey. He argued that the board's failure to nurture domestic talent and its reliance on underperforming players have contributed to the team's struggles."Pakistan will find it extremely difficult to recover from this defeat, just as they have failed to recover from their loss to Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup," Shehzad said. "The PCB has made short-term decisions that have pushed the team towards a decline reminiscent of the fall of Pakistani hockey."Despite the poor performance, Shehzad did not blame the players but instead targeted the PCB for its lack of vision and poor selection policies. He argued that the board's failure to provide opportunities to domestic players has left the team without adequate replacements for underperforming players."The players are not at fault here," Shehzad said. "The fault lies with the Pakistan Cricket Board. The players are not forcing their way into the team. It is the board that continues to select them and ignores domestic players. The board itself admits that there is no talent in domestic cricket. But if you don't have players in domestic cricket who can replace these players, then what have you achieved?"The Rawalpindi loss has prompted calls for introspection and changes within the PCB. The cricketing community is grappling with the implications of this historic defeat and demanding accountability from the board.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Waqar Younis' three-week tenure as an advisor on cricket affairs to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman has concluded. Appointed as a consultant on August 1, Younis' role was initially set for a three-week period.According to sources within the PCB, the board has advertised the position of advisor on cricket affairs, and candidates who have applied will be interviewed. It remains unclear whether Younis has reapplied for the role.Sources indicate that Younis, who played 87 Tests and 262 ODIs for Pakistan, had requested a short stint in the role before committing to a longer-term position. However, it is reported that Younis faced discomfort in his consultancy role, with limited cooperation from influential individuals within the board.Younis was present with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi after his appointment but has not attended the office since August 19. Sources suggest that Younis may be offered a field job with the national team in the future, but his short-term consultancy has ended.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and cricket enthusiasts in England eagerly await a deal to secure television broadcast rights for Pakistan's home series against England in October. However, the initial reserve price set by the PCB has proven excessive, deterring broadcasters from entering negotiations.Despite reports of Sky and TNT Sport showing little interest, the PCB remains optimistic that a deal will be reached. However, concerns have been raised about the board's methods of securing broadcasting rights, which may hinder the realization of these deals.The PCB recently accepted a valuation significantly lower than its reserve price for domestic rights for home series from August 2024 to December 2026. The board's initial quote was approximately PKR 3.1 billion (USD 11.2 million), but the final broadcast figures are believed to be between USD 6 to 6.5 million.The transparent bidding process allowed broadcasters to collude and agree on a pre-determined price, significantly lower than the PCB's valuation. ARY and Tower Sports eventually acquired the rights.While the PCB claims the domestic rights sold for double the previous cycle, the ICC sold its rights in Pakistan for several times that amount, estimated at USD 25 million. PTV and Tower Sports secured the rights to broadcast six ICC events in 2024 and 2025, including India-Pakistan fixtures.Pakistan's inability to play India in bilateral series reduces the value of its domestic rights. England is set to play three Tests in Pakistan in October, but an agreement to broadcast the series in the UK remains elusive.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has vehemently denied recent media reports suggesting potential date changes for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan. The board has emphasized that the tournament remains a top priority and preparations are well underway.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi's recent statements during a media interaction were misconstrued, the board clarified. While Naqvi acknowledged that some domestic matches might be relocated to accommodate ongoing stadium renovations, he explicitly stated that the Champions Trophy schedule remains unaffected.This clarification comes after the PCB's decision to move the second Test match against Bangladesh from Karachi to Rawalpindi due to ongoing construction work at Karachi's National Bank Stadium, one of the designated venues for the 2025 tournament."It is disappointing that certain media outlets have misrepresented PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi's comments from yesterday's media interaction, misleadingly quoting him on the potential change of dates for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to security concerns, thus creating unnecessary sensationalism," the PCB statement reads.The PCB stressed that the stadium redevelopment and redesign projects are progressing as planned and will be completed well ahead of the Champions Trophy. The board reiterated its commitment to delivering a world-class event across three iconic Pakistani venues, providing an exceptional experience for cricket enthusiasts.Addressing concerns about potential schedule conflicts, the PCB confirmed that a draft schedule for the tournament, spanning from February 19 to March 9, 2025, has already been submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC).While the relocation of the Bangladesh Test match sparked speculation about similar changes for future fixtures, including the England Test series scheduled for October, the PCB has not confirmed any further alterations.The board remains focused on ensuring the smooth execution of the Champions Trophy, stressing its dedication to hosting a successful tournament and showcasing Pakistan's passion for cricket on a global stage.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a strategic move by releasing spinner Abrar Ahmed and top-order batter Kamran Ghulam from the Pakistan squad for the first Test against Bangladesh. This decision stems from the selectors' preference for an all-pace attack in the opening match of the ICC World Test Championship.To ensure that Ahmed and Ghulam maintain match fitness, they have been included in the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the second four-day match against Bangladesh 'A', commencing on August 20 at the Islamabad Club. Ghulam has been appointed as the captain of the Shaheens for this encounter.The PCB's decision to release Ahmed and Ghulam from the Test squad is aimed at providing them with valuable match practice ahead of the second Test, which will be played in Karachi from August 30. This move will allow them to regain their rhythm and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming Test.As a result of these changes, the Pakistan Test squad has been reduced to 15 players. However, it will revert to its original strength of 17 players after the conclusion of the second four-day match, when Ahmed and Ghulam will rejoin the side for the Karachi Test.Several players have been transferred between the Pakistan Test and Shaheens squads. Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Saud Shakeel have joined the Test side, while Mohammad Rameez Jnr has been omitted from the Shaheens squad for the second four-day match.The Shaheens squad for the second four-day match has been bolstered by the inclusion of Abrar Ahmed, Ali Zaryab Asif, Awais Anwar, Imam Ul Haq, Niaz Khan, Qasim Akram, Rohail Nazir, and Sharoon Siraj. These players will replace the eight players who have joined the Test side.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is embarking on a comprehensive upgrade of its stadiums to enhance the quality of domestic and international cricket matches. As part of this initiative, the PCB will introduce new floodlights at the National Stadium in Karachi and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for the Champions Trophy, scheduled for early next year.The PCB's goal is to ensure that smaller venues, such as Quetta, Abbottabad, and Peshawar, are also equipped with light towers. This will allow domestic matches to be played under lights during hot weather, providing a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for players and spectators.To optimize costs, the PCB plans to transfer the existing floodlights from Karachi to Quetta and those from Lahore to Rawalpindi. Karachi and Lahore will receive new light towers, and the PCB has invited tenders from eligible companies to provide these on a rental basis from August 2024 to July 2025."The idea behind this process is to ensure smaller venues are also equipped with light towers for domestic cricket, while major venues like Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, where most international games and CT matches would be played, get towers that ensure international standard and uninterrupted provision of light during matches," a PCB source told PTI.In addition to the floodlights, the PCB has also invited tenders for the provision of generators to cities including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Abbottabad, Quetta, and Peshawar. The PCB uses generators to power the light towers at the grounds due to power fluctuations and load-shedding issues.The PCB is also implementing extensive facelifts of its stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. As a result, the second Test against Bangladesh in Karachi will be played without spectators. The PCB has allocated funds in its fiscal budget to cover all costs associated with the renovation and facelift of the stadiums.