Category: Sports

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied all claims about the Indian team refusing to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025.

PCB source told The Current, “All speculations about Indian cricket board’s letter to PCB or India not coming to Pakistan are baseless. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s press conference in Gaddafi Stadium on November 8 is the latest update on this issue.”

Mohsin Naqvi said that there should be no politics in the game, and assured that the Board will continue preparations despite India not coming.

Mohsin Naqvi, while talking to the media after reviewing the ongoing development work at Gaddafi Stadium, said, “The Indian media has reported that the Indian team is not coming to Pakistan, but the Indian board has not yet informed us in writing about sending the team. If the Indian team informs us in writing, I will go to the government, and then we will follow the government’s decision.”

“For two months, there have been reports in the Indian media that their team is not coming. We want no politics in the game. There was no discussion about the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, and there will be no discussion. Pakistan has always shown goodwill, but it should not be expected every time. If there is any situation, the CB should be informed in writing,” he added.

The Indian media is claiming that the Indian Cricket Board has written to that the PCB that the team is not coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCC) is demanding to hold the matches of the Indian team in Dubai, while the BCCI informed the authorities about their concerns that they want to play the matches at neutral venues and Dubai is the best place for that, as per Indian media.

On the other hand, there was news that the government of Pakistan is likely to make tough decisions regarding India’s refusal to come to the Champions Trophy. The government is considering that if India does not come, then Pakistan will never play any match with India in the future.

The government is considering that until the relations with India improve, they will not play any match with India in any tournament. Pakistan always makes goodwill gestures, but India always involves politics.

If India didn’t come to Pakistan and the host country doesn’t agree on the hybrid model, then there is a strong chance that Sri Lanka will replace India.

Pakistan has became the champion of Baseball United Classic, defeating the United Arab Emirates by 12-1 in the final.

Pakistan’s team remained undefeated in the tournament. A total of nine countries participated in the Baseball United Classic tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan cricket team also delighted its fans by defeating Australia in the ODI series after 22 years at its home ground.

The decisive match of the one-day series between Pakistan and Australia was played in Perth, where Pakistan bowled out Australia for 140 runs. Pakistan achieved the target of 141 runs in the 27th over with the loss of 2 wickets.

Match Summary (Pak vs Aus)

Chasing the target, opener Abdullah Shafique scored 37 runs, whereas Saim Ayub scored 42 runs and fell victim to Lance Morris’s ball.

Apart from this, Captain Muhammad Rizwan scored 30 runs while former skipper Babar Azam scored 28 runs.

Bowling first, Pakistan bowled Australia out for a mere 140 runs in 31.5 overs as one batter did not return to the pitch due to injury.

Sean Abbott scored 30 runs for Australia, Jack Fraser McGurk got out after scoring only seven runs and Matthew Short played an innings of 22 runs.

Captain Josh Inglis could only score 7 runs, Aaron Hardy scored 12 runs, and Cooper Connolly was retired for seven runs.

Glenn Maxwell became a victim of Haris Rauf for the third time in the three-match series and returned to the pavilion on duck. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis could only score eight runs and Adam Zampa scored 13 runs.

On behalf of Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets each, while Haris Rauf took 2 wickets, and Mohammad Hasnain took one wicket.

Australia had defeated Pakistan in the first ODI by two wickets, but Pakistan made a strong comeback, winning the second ODI by nine wickets and the last by eight.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has delayed the event for the announcement of Champions Trophy 2025 schedule as India are yet to confirm their participation.

According to reports, the schedule issue could not be resolved, and so the ICC has postponed the event scheduled for November 11.

Discussions regarding the schedule are ongoing between the PCB and boards of participating teams, reports said.

Meanwhile, a PCB official was quoted as saying that the postponed event pertained to the flag-off of the trophy tour and tournament branding launch.

Outdoor activities are difficult in Lahore these days, and the schedule of the event has neither been confirmed nor announced.

Champions Trophy is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan next year in February and March.

Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to send its team to Pakistan for the next Champions Trophy, as per Indian media.

The Indian board has reportedly decided to reverse its decision to send the Indian team to Pakistan, as confirmed by the Indian Express. Pakistan has been informed of this decision.

The BCCI has expressed concerns regarding security about playing in Pakistan and prefers neutral venues, with Dubai being the top choice.

Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi, however, has claimed not to have received any letter from BCCI, adding that “the Indian board has not said anything in writing so far, there has been no discussion on the hybrid model and there will be no discussion.”

Earlier, there were reports that the Indian Cricket Board agreed to send the team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, but India refused and wanted to conduct the tournament under a hybrid model.

Other teams, however, have confirmed they will send their teams to Pakistan for the event.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with matches to be played in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

In the deciding match of the three-match ODI series, Pakistan defeated Australia by eight wickets, clinching the series by 2-1.

Chasing the target, opener Abdullah Shafique scored 37 runs, whereas Saim Ayub scored 42 runs and fell victim to Lance Morris’s ball.

Apart from this, Captain Muhammad Rizwan scored 30 runs while former skipper Babar Azam scored 28 runs.

Bowling first, Pakistan bowled Australia out for a mere 140 runs in 31.5 overs as one batter did not return to the pitch due to injury.

Sean Abbott scored 30 runs for Australia, Jack Fraser McGurk got out after scoring only seven runs and Matthew Short played an innings of 22 runs.

Captain Josh Inglis could only score 7 runs, Aaron Hardy scored 12 runs, and Cooper Connolly was retired for seven runs.

Glenn Maxwell became a victim of Haris Rauf for the third time in the three-match series and returned to the pavilion on duck. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis could only score eight runs and Adam Zampa scored 13 runs.

On behalf of Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets each, while Haris Rauf took 2 wickets, and Mohammad Hasnain took one wicket.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and decided to field in the decider.

Australia had defeated Pakistan in the first ODI by two wickets, but Pakistan made a strong comeback, winning the second ODI by nine wickets and the last by eight.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to send its team to Pakistan for the next Champions Trophy, as per Indian media.

The Indian board has reportedly decided to reverse its decision to send the Indian team to Pakistan, as confirmed by the Indian Express. Pakistan has been informed of this decision. The BCCI has expressed concerns regarding security about playing in Pakistan and prefers neutral venues, with Dubai being the top choice.

Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi, however, has claimed not to have received any letter from BCCI, adding that “the Indian board has not said anything in writing so far, there has been no discussion on the hybrid model and there will be no discussion.”

Earlier, there were reports that the Indian Cricket Board agreed to send the team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, but India refused and wanted to conduct the tournament under a hybrid model.

Other teams, however, have confirmed they will send their teams to Pakistan for the event.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with matches to be played in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

PTV Sports had to stop live broadcast of the cricket series between Pakistan and Australia due to pending payments.

According to Samaa
 News, the reason for the suspension was the failure of PTV Sports to pay dues to the broadcaster Tower Sports, which holds exclusive rights to the series.

The financially troubled PTV Sports failed to settle its dues with Tower Sports, leading to the latter’s suspension of broadcasts.

 PTV Sports will not be able to resume live coverage of the matches until the outstanding amount is paid. The last-minute decision to stop the telecast disappointed cricket fans across the country who were eagerly waiting for the game.

Pakistan has defeated Australia by nine wickets in the second ODI match in Adelaide.

Chasing the Kangaroos’ target of 164 runs in the match being played in Adelaide, national team openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq gave Pakistan a 137-run start. Fours were included. Abdullah Shafiq remained unbeaten with 64 runs, and Babar Azam scored 15 runs.

Australia’s only wicket came to Adam Zampa.

While batting first, the Australian team was all out by scoring 163 runs in 35 overs. The openers tried to play an aggressive game, but Jack Fraser-McGurk fell victim to Shaheen by scoring 13 runs on a total score of 21; Matthew Short also scored 19 runs. Banakar had returned to the pavilion.

Australian batters Josh Ingles, 18, and Marinus Labuschagne, 6; Steve Smith, 35; Aaron Hardie, 13; Glenn Maxwell, 16; Pat Cummins, 13; Adam Zampa, 18, and Mitchell Starc were guests for one run.

On behalf of Pakistan, Haris Rauf took five wickets; Shaheen Afridi took three wickets, while Mohammad Hasnain and Naseem Shah took one wicket each.

Earlier, national team captain Muhammad Rizwan won the toss and decided to field first against Australia. He said that he would try to win the match and level the series.

Mohammad Rizwan said that no changes have been made to the team, and they want to give the players a chance.

On this occasion, Australian team captain Pat Cummins said that they want to ensure victory in the series with the victory in the match. He said that there has been a change in the playing eleven; Josh Hazlewood has returned instead of Sean Abbott.

Pakistan Squad:

Captain Muhammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafiq, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Agha, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Muhammad Hasnain.

Australia Squad:

Captain Pat Cummins, Matt Short, Jack Fraser-McGurk, Steven Smith, Josh Ingles, Marence Labuchin, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardy, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood.

The second match of the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Australia is underway in Adelaide today, with Australia setting Pakistan a target of 164 runs to win.

Pakistan won the toss and invited Australia to bat. In the third over, with a total score of 21, Jack Fraser McGurk was dismissed lbw by Shaheen Afridi after he scored 13 runs off ten balls. 

Mathew Short also fell victim to Afridi’s balling with a total score of 41 in the seventh over. He scored 19 runs off 15 balls and was caught out by Babar Azam.

Josh Ingles scored 18 runs off 25 balls, while Marnus Labuchagne scored six runs off 11 balls and was dismissed in the 16th over by Haris Rauf. 

In the 21st over, when Australia’s score was 101, Steven Smith also returned to the pavilion. He scored 35 runs off 48 balls and was caught out by Mohammad Rizwan off Mohammad Hasnain.

Australia’s sixth wicket fell in the 26th over at a total of 121 when Aaron Hardie scored 13 off 29 balls and was caught out by Mohammad Rizwan off Haris Rauf. In the 28th over, Glenn Maxwell also returned to the pavilion. He scored 16 runs off 21 balls and was bowled by Haris Rauf. 

In the next over, Australia’s total score had just increased by one run when Mitchell Starc scored a run and was caught out by Mohammad Rizwan off the ball of Naseem Shah.

Adam Zampa scored 18 runs and was dismissed by Shaheen in the 35th over.

Haris Rauf took five, while Shaheen Afridi took three wickets for Pakistan. Naseem Shah and Muhammad Hasnain took one wicket each.

Female police officer ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi is one of the candidates in line to assume the role of the Head of Pakistan Women’s Cricket.

Geo Super report reveals that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking for a Head of Women’s Cricket, with some government officials being considered strong candidates for the job.

Geo Super quoted sources saying that ASP Shehrbano Naqvi who has been in the limelight since February this year when she rescued a woman from a mob in Lahore’s Ichra Bazaar. Earlier, she was involved in launching a unique initiative for pets. ASP Sheharbano Naqvi, along with the IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar, inaugurated one-of-a-kind Pet Park to Lahore.

Lately, the female ASP surfaced online to present the stance of Lahore police on the alleged rape case of Punjab College.

Among other candidates for the slot is former Lahore deputy commissioner (DC) Dr Rafia Haider, a PCB official told The Current. They also said that the former Lahore DC, and not ACP Shehrbano, was likely to replace Tania Mallick who stepped down on Wednesday to pursue new career opportunities.

Mallick had started her job at the board in October 2021.

PCB COO Salman Naseer stated in a presser, “Sohaib Sheikh and Tania Mallick were key members of the PCB management team, making meaningful contributions to our progress as an organisation. Sohaib was part of the core team that launched the HBL PSL in 2016, successfully delivering four seasons, and he returned to produce another high-quality event earlier this year.”

He appreciated the erstwhile officer, stating: “Tania worked with dedication to uplift women’s cricket in Pakistan, making strides at the grassroots level to expand the pool of players. Alongside PCB’s ongoing support, her efforts were recognised internationally by the ICC, where she served as one of the two Full Member representatives on the ICC Women’s Committee.

“The PCB appreciates their hard work, dedication and contributions, and we wish both Sohaib and Tania every success in their future endeavors.”

Among other candidates is a former deputy commissioner of Lahore who served in the city during Mohsin Naqvi’s tenure as caretaker Chief Minister Punjab, but the process of selection is underway.