Current Final

Category: Sports

  • New Zealand cricket chief open to rescheduling of abandoned Pakistan series

    New Zealand cricket chief open to rescheduling of abandoned Pakistan series

    New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Chief Executive David White on Monday expressed willingness to discuss the rescheduling of the Pakistan series the Black Caps abandoned last week, but said talks of touring the country again were premature considering the team’s schedule was already tight.

    The Black Caps devastated Pakistan’s cricket fraternity on September 17 after unilaterally quitting their visit minutes before the first ODI was to be played citing “security concerns”.

    In a new report, New Zealand media website Stuff quoted White, saying: “We’ve got a very close working relationship with Pakistan Cricket. We’d like to think that over the next few days, weeks and months that we’ll work through this to ensure that we play the content that we’ve missed out on and we continue our close working relationship.”

    “As we know they’re a very passionate cricketing nation and they’re obviously disappointed. We understand their disappointment,” he added.

    According to the report, the NZC chief was hopeful the matches would be rescheduled but was not sure about when as the Future Tours Programme was already “pretty tight”.

    Regarding compensating the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for lost revenue, White said the issue would be discussed in due course. He hoped that the decision to abandon the tour would not be held against NZC when the time came for Pakistan to tour New Zealand.

    He also said that it was too soon to comment on the prospect of the Black Caps touring Pakistan again anytime soon.

    “I think what’s important to point out is that for every tour we go on, whether it’s Pakistan or England or anywhere, that we go through a very thorough process covering security, etc. This was no exception. In fact, it was probably more in this case.”

    “I can’t answer that question at the moment, it’s too early. But we’ll assess every tour on its merits,” he said.

    On Friday, the New Zealand team had unilaterally postponed the series with Pakistan minutes before the first match was scheduled to start at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium — a move that had shocked fans and officials.

    According to the PCB, Pakistan had “foolproof security arrangements for all visiting teams” and had “assured NZC of the same”.

  • ‘No security problem in Pak’: Daren Sammy reacts to New Zealand’s decision

    ‘No security problem in Pak’: Daren Sammy reacts to New Zealand’s decision

    Former West Indian captain Daren Sammy has said that there is no security problem in Pakistan. He also expressed his disappointment at New Zealand cancelling its Pakistan series due to “security reasons”.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Sammy said that field experts are saying that if Pakistan is safe, then one should trust then. “I have been coming to Pakistan for the last 6 years, it has always been a good experience.”

    While talking about New Zealand cancelling the tour, he said: “I was very disappointed with New Zealand’s decision. There is no security problem in Pakistan. I remember people used to ask me to go to Pakistan or not but now people ask me to go to Pakistan and play golf and eat.”

    He said that attacks have taken place in New Zealand and England, incidents have also been seen in Australia, and incidents are happening everywhere in the world but there is no noise. He also added that the situation in Pakistan has changed. “Earlier, people used to ask, is it safe to go to Pakistan? Now people ask where to go and eat in Pakistan.”

    The New Zealand cricket team cancelled their tour shortly before the first ODI match against Pakistan on the grounds of security reasons, which has drawn frustration from cricket fans all over the world. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to take a strong stand against the New Zealand Cricket Board.

  • British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan removed from US flight

    British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan was removed from an American Airlines plane along with a colleague.

    Amir posted a video message on his social media account, in which he expressed his displeasure over the incident saying, “Disgusted to be banned by @AmericanAir and @traveloneworld for not been able to fly to training camp, i got escorted by police off the plane for no reason. I would like to see evidence for any wrong doings.”

    “I was taken off the plane today when I was going to training camp to Colorado Springs, by the police,” said Amir in the video message.

    “Obviously a complaint was made by American Airlines staff, they said that my colleague’s mask was not high enough and not up, that they had to stop the plane and take me and my friend off when I did nothing wrong,” he added.

    The boxer continued by saying, “Now I have to reschedule another airplane to travel back to training camp which is really upsetting, for no reason this was and I’m just so disgusted that American Airlines would do this to us and ban me from travelling.”

    American Airlines said in a statement that before take-off, the aircraft had “returned to the gate to deplane two customers who reportedly refused to comply with repeated crew member requests to stow luggage, place cell phones in airplane mode and adhere to federal face covering requirements,” The Guardian has reported.

  • PCB to take tough stance against New Zealand

    PCB to take tough stance against New Zealand

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to take a tough stance against the New Zealand Cricket Team (NZC) at the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting, according to Geo News’ sources.

    The board has decided to contact influential players and commentators from around the world and seek their support in this matter.

    The ICC board meeting will be held during the upcoming T20 World Cup. The World Cup is scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman from October 17 to November 14.

    Prior to this Prime Minister, Imran Khan spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and informed her that Pakistan has one of the best intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team, PCB has confirmed.

    Earlier, Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja had said that New Zealand will hear Pakistan at the ICC meeting. Terming the abrupt decision as a “crazy day”, the chairman added that he felt sorry for fans and the players.

    Last week, PCB, in its press release, revealed that New Zealand Cricket authorities unilaterally called off the ODI and T20 series without taking them into confidence and had not shared any details about the threats with the board or Pakistan’s security agencies.

  • ‘Same route, same security but no threat today?’: Mohammad Hafeez questions the Black Caps departure

    ‘Same route, same security but no threat today?’: Mohammad Hafeez questions the Black Caps departure

    Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Hafeez took to Twitter to question the departure of the Black Caps, and tweeted, “Thanks to the security of Pakistan forces to make arrangements to @BLACKCAPS to reach airport Safe & Sound. Wonder same route & same security but no threat today???”

    A day after New Zealand abandoned their Pakistan tour, the newly appointed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja on Saturday called on players to channel their frustration into their performance.

    In a video message, shared by the PCB, Ramiz Raja said: “Release your frustration and anger by channeling it towards your performance.”

    “Everyone will want to play against you. So I want us to learn from this, move forward, and keep strong. There is no need to be disappointed,” said Ramiz.

    “We will do whatever we can and you will soon get to hear good news and results,” said the chairman.

    “It is a shared pain and whatever happened is not right for Pakistani cricket,” he said, calling the situation an “unfortunate scenario”.

    “We have experienced such situations in the past but we have always moved forward. We have a lot of resilience and strength, and that is because of the fans and the cricket team,” he said.

    Meanwhile, a PCB official speaking with Dawn said, “This is a blow to the efforts the PCB, the government, and the security agencies who had been making to fully restore international cricket in Pakistan.”

    “The ICC has done nothing in these cases,” the official added. “Furthermore since the Indian lobby is strong at the ICC, so it will not be easy for the PCB to win any case of compensation against New Zealand.”

    “There isn’t much hope that England will tour now,” said the official.

    On Friday, the New Zealand cricket team had backed out of its tour of Pakistan over security concerns minutes before the first match was scheduled to start at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

  • ‘NZ just killed Pakistan cricket’: Pak cricketers react after tour cancellation

    ‘NZ just killed Pakistan cricket’: Pak cricketers react after tour cancellation

    Pakistani cricketers, including Babar Azam, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar and others have expressed their disappointment after the New Zealand cricket board abandoned Pakistan series at the last minute.

    Taking to Twitter, Babar wrote: “Extremely disappointed on the abrupt postponement of the series, which could have brought the smiles back for millions of Pakistan Cricket Fans. I’ve full trust in the capabilities and credibility of our security agencies. They are our pride and always will be! Pakistan Zindabad!”

    While Shoaib Akhtar wrote: “NZ just killed Pakistan cricket.”

    “On a HOAX threat you have called-off the tour despite all assurances! @BalackCaps do you understand the IMPACT of your decision,” questioned Afridi.

    The series has been postponed after New Zealand expressed security threats. Despite Prime Minister Imran Khan talking to New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and ensuring her that the levels of securities are high, the series was called off.

  • ‘NZ will hear us at ICC’: Ramiz Raja enraged after series abandonment

    ‘NZ will hear us at ICC’: Ramiz Raja enraged after series abandonment

    The newly appointed Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja has lashed out at New Zealand cricket board after they abandoned the series at the last minute. While transnational players, including Grant Eliot and Daren Sammy, also expressed their disappointment on the news.

    Taking to Twitter, PCB Chairman wrote: “Crazy day it has been! Feel so sorry for the fans and our players. Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in??NZ will hear us at ICC.”

    Meanwhile, transnational cricketer including Daren Sammy, Michael Vaughan, Angelo Perera, Grant Elliot and Sherfane Rutherford also shared their views on the cancellation of the series.

    https://twitter.com/SRutherford_50/status/1438807718727462917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1438807718727462917%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcurrentold.perceptiond.net%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D131302action%3Dedit
    https://twitter.com/angiperera/status/1438827329057292288?s=20

    The black Caps were set to play three ODIs and five T20Is in Pindi and Lahore respectively.

    New Zealand’s cricket board said arrangements were being made for the team’s departure back home, citing an escalation in threat levels and the advice of security advisors.

  • ‘We totally support the decision’: NZ PM Jacinda Ardern on Pakistan tour abandonment

    ‘We totally support the decision’: NZ PM Jacinda Ardern on Pakistan tour abandonment

    New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday backed her cricket board’s decision to call off the entire tour of Pakistan after a security alert just minutes before the first ODI in Rawalpindi, as the safety of the players was paramount.

    New Zealand Cricket said it received a security alert from its government and made the decision to cancel the tour just moments before the scheduled start of the One-Day International (ODI) series.

    This was going to be New Zealand’s first international cricket series in Pakistan in 18 years but sadly, it had to be called off after the visiting side refused to come to the stadium and stayed put inside their hotel rooms citing security concerns.

    Pakistan were scheduled to host New Zealand for a series of 3 ODIs and 5 T20 internationals in Rawalpindi and Lahore from September 17 to October 3.

    “When I spoke with the Prime Minister of Pakistan I conveyed our thanks for taking care of the New Zealand Cricket team. I know how disappointing it will be for everyone that the game hasn’t gone ahead, but we totally support the decision that’s been made. Player safety has to be paramount,” Ardern said in a statement sent to Reuters.

    New Zealand’s cricket board said arrangements were being made for the team’s departure back home, citing an escalation in threat levels and the advice of security advisors.

  • New Zealand cancels Pak series due to ‘security concerns’ despite PM Khan’s call to NZ PM

    New Zealand cancels Pak series due to ‘security concerns’ despite PM Khan’s call to NZ PM

    New Zealand’s whole tour of Pakistan has been abandoned due to security concerns.

    “Earlier today, New Zealand Cricket informed us they had been alerted to some security alert and have unilaterally decided to postpone the series,” said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a statement.

    “Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Government made foolproof security arrangements for all visiting teams. We have assured the New Zealand Cricket of the same. The Pakistan Prime Minister spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and informed her that we have one of the best intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team,” said the statement.

    “The security officials with the New Zealand team have been satisfied with security arrangements made by the Pakistan Government throughout their stay here,” it added.

    The statement concluded, “PCB is willing to continue the scheduled matches. However, cricket lovers in Pakistan and around the world will be disappointed by this last minute withdrawal.”

    The Black Caps reached Pakistan on September 11 and were set to play three ODIs and five T20Is. Spectators outside the stadium were set to enter the when the first ODI between the teams was called off just a few minutes before the toss.

    Meanwhile, a sports journalist Elliot Smith has shared a statement that arrangements for the departure of NZ team are now being made.

    https://twitter.com/elliottnz/status/1438797782723088386?s=20
  • ‘Before we got sacked, we decided to resign ourselves,’ reveals Waqar Younis

    ‘Before we got sacked, we decided to resign ourselves,’ reveals Waqar Younis

    Former Pakistan cricketer Waqar Younis opened up about his resignation as the bowling coach of the Pakistan cricket team.

    Just a month before the T20 World Cup in the UAE, Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis jointly resigned from their respective duties, which came as a big shock to the cricket fraternity.

    The former pacer appeared in ARY News’ show 11th Hour and revealed the reason of his and Misbah’s exit.

    Misbah cited the fatigue due to the Covid-19 bio-bubbles as the reason to step down and Waqar Younis followed him.

    Anchor Waseem Badami questioned if Ramiz Raja was the reason. Waqar said that if a new person comes, it’s natural that there will be some changes.

    Waqar Younis said that he had to resign with Misbah as they joined the team management together. The former Pakistan pacer also revealed that he had no role in selecting the team.

    “I had no justification to stay on when Misbah resigned. Before we got sacked, we decided to resign ourselves. I never had any role in selecting the team,” said Waqar Younis.

    Waqar has had an on and off relation with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He has taken several roles with the board since 2006 as the bowling coach and twice he was appointed as the head coach.

    Waqar mentioned that he had groomed some of the young Pakistan bowlers in his latest stint with the national team.

    “Talent comes from the first-class and domestic cricket. We were the ones who mentored Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain and Naseem Shah over the past two years,” Waqar mentioned.

    PCB appointed Australia’s Matthew Hayden and South Africa’s Vernon Philander as consultant coaches of the Pakistan cricket team for the upcoming T20 World Cup.