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  • From Shahid Afridi, Junaid Khan to Fakhar Zaman, cricketers wish Pakistan a Happy Independence Day

    From Shahid Afridi, Junaid Khan to Fakhar Zaman, cricketers wish Pakistan a Happy Independence Day

    Pakistan is celebrating its 75th Independence Day today (Saturday) and while the pandemic is still raging, it hasn’t dulled our cricketers’ patriotic fervour.

    Several cricketers, including Shahid Afridi, posted beautiful and heartwarming Independence Day messages on social media.

    Taking to Instagram, former Pakistan captain Afridi shared a heartwarming video of himself holding the national flag and hoisting Kashmir’s flag with his daughters.

    Cricketer turned commentator Ramiz Raja, who is also celebrating his birthday, wished Pakistan, saying: “Happy Independence Day. So proud to be a Pakistani.”

    Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar turned to his Twitter and shared his pictures while wishing Pakistan.

    Umar Gul not only wished the nation but also prayed for it while posting a beautiful video.

    https://twitter.com/mdk_gul/status/1426264309609472005?s=19

    Junaid Khan stepped a little forward and wrapped himself in the national flag and posted a picture on Instagram.

    Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman and others also turned to their social media accounts to wish the mother land on this Independence Day.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also shared a video of Pakistani cricketers recalling how they celebrated Independence Day.

    The video include captain of Pakistan cricket team Babar Azam, Azahar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Faheem Ashraf and members of Pakistan women cricket team.

  • England tour of Pakistan 2021 schedule announced, Rawalpindi to host both series

    England tour of Pakistan 2021 schedule announced, Rawalpindi to host both series

    England men’s and women’s teams will travel to Pakistan for a bilateral series. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will be hosting both the series.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Friday, announced that the England men’s team will take on the home side in two T20Is at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi in October. The England women’s team will also play two T20Is and three ODIs against the Pakistan women’s team during the same month at the same venue.

    The England men and women’s teams will arrive in Islamabad on October 9. Subsequently, the touring sides will play the T20Is on October 13 and 14, with the matches being held as double-headers. After the completion of the T20I series, the England men’s squad will leave for Dubai on October 15.

    However, the England women’s side will stay back and partake in three ODIs on October 17,19 and 21 respectively. This will be England senior team’s (men or women) first tour to Pakistan since 2005-06. Incidentally, the matches were initially scheduled to be played at the National Stadium in Karachi on October 14 and 15, but had to be rescheduled as a result of “operational and logistical reasons”.

    “We are delighted to welcome both the England men’s team for what will be their first tour to Pakistan since 2005, and the England women’s team, who will be touring Pakistan for the first time. Both are additional tours with England men’s side scheduled to return to Pakistan in the last quarter of 2022 for white-ball and ICC World Test Championship fixtures,” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said.

  • Azam Khan taken to hospital after getting hit on head during practice

    Azam Khan taken to hospital after getting hit on head during practice

    Wicket-keeper batsman Azam Khan was taken to hospital after getting hit on the head during practice on Friday in Guyana, and has been ruled out of the second and third T20I against West Indies.

    The 22-year-old, who made his debut earlier this month against England, is learnt to have been struck by a fast bowler.

    According to a press release by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), a neurosurgeon has recommended an observation period of 24 hours following which he will be reassessed on Monday.

    His availability for the fourth and final T20I will depend on the reassessment.

    As per reports, Khan did not lose consciousness and was wearing a helmet at the time he was hit.

    Pakistan and West Indies took part in a rained-out first T20I in Barbados on Wednesday, with only nine overs possible.

    Meanwhile, all three remaining games will take place in Guyana, with Saturday’s contest the first of back-to-back weekend games, before the final match on Tuesday.

    The T20Is will be followed by two Tests starting August 12 and 20, and both will be played in Kingston.

  • ‘Where’s my miyan?’ Sarfaraz’s wife asks PCB

    ‘Where’s my miyan?’ Sarfaraz’s wife asks PCB

    The Pakistan cricket team, ahead of the start of their training for the T20I series against West Indies, spent some time at a beach resort, photos of which were shared on social media.

    The photos did not include any of Sarfaraz Ahmed, which led to an amusing exchange between his wife and the Pakistan Cricket Board.

    In the photos shared on PCB’s Twitter account, pacer Hasan Ali, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, and other players could be seen having a good time. Sarfaraz Ahmed was nowhere to be seen.

    At this, his wife Khushbakht Sarfaraz asked: “Where’s my miyan (husband)?”

    Responding to Khushbakht’s question, PCB shared a photo of Sarfaraz, where the former skipper could be seen coming out of the sea, wearing light blue shorts and a red vest.

  • PSL seven to be played in January-February 2022 to avoid clash with IPL

    PSL seven to be played in January-February 2022 to avoid clash with IPL

    The seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be played in Pakistan from January-February next year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed after consulting the six franchises. The tournament is expected to start in early January and continue till the third week of February.

    As per the press release issued by PCB, the schedule has been drawn up despite a date clash with the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia.

    Lahore and Karachi will host 17 matches each, with the final to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    The regular PSL window, since 2016, has been in February-March, but in 2022, Pakistan is hoping to host Australia. That forced PCB to work a window either before the series against Australia or after, and neither window was without its share of clashes. April-May clashes with the IPL, and that affects the broadcasting and commercial arrangements. It is also likely to affect player availability. That window will also overlap with the month of Ramzan.

    The January-February period isn’t free either, because the BBL takes place then, and a number of premier T20 players are expected to be occupied there. There is also the issue of the weather in the Punjab province of Pakistan, which tends to be foggy in winter. To deal with the weather, the PCB has decided to start the PSL in Karachi, which is in the Sindh province, in January, and then travel to Lahore, in Punjab, in February, when it is likely to be more conducive.

    The Covid-19 pandemic has hampered the PSL schedule for the past two seasons, as it has the cricket calendar around the world. The fifth and sixth editions of the tournament were both played in two chunks. The 2021 edition started in February in Pakistan but was postponed after 14 matches and completed in June in Abu Dhabi. In 2020, the tournament started on time in February, but though the league stage was completed by March, the playoffs could only be held in November.

    The seventh edition of the PSL will also have fresh broadcast and commercial partners after the previous deals concluded this year after a three-year run. The PCB has confirmed that it is presently working at a framework for the evaluation of the rights and their subsequent sale. The PCB is expected to hire an independent consultant to evaluate the value of the brand. In the last cycle, the PCB had secured a 358% rise in the broadcast deal, worth approximately USD 36 million.

  • Umar Akmal apologises for not reporting corrupt approaches

    Umar Akmal apologises for not reporting corrupt approaches

    Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal has apologised for not reporting corrupt approaches last year, which led to him being banned for 12 months.

    Akmal, 30, was suspended last year by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for not reporting spot-fixing approaches made to him before the start of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020.

    “Seventeen months ago, I made a mistake which caused damage to my cricket and career,” Akmal said in a video released by PCB on Wednesday as part of his reintegration and rehabilitation process.

    “I learnt a lot during this time and due to that mistake, Pakistan cricket’s reputation suffered badly. I ask for forgiveness from the PCB and from cricket fans around the world.”

    Akmal admitted that the ban has been a “very difficult period for him”.

    “Some people approached me but I was unable to report the same to the anti-corruption unit, due to which I had to face a 12-month ban. I couldn’t play cricket despite being a cricketer.

    “I learned a lot during this time and today I confess before all of you that that mistake brought disrepute to Pakistan cricket.”

  • Nine uncapped players included in England’s revised squad for Pakistan ODIs

    Nine uncapped players included in England’s revised squad for Pakistan ODIs

    England’s revised squad announced to play Pakistan in a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series after a Covid-19 outbreak led to the formation of a new playing eleven. Nine uncapped players have been included in England’s squad.

    Squad: Ben Stokes (c), Jake Ball, Danny Briggs, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Lewis Gregory, Tom Helm, Will Jacks, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Matt Parkinson, David Payne, Phil Salt, John Simpson (wk), James Vince

    “It’s a great opportunity to play on the biggest stage, and for most of the players selected it’s not necessarily something they would have been expecting 24 hours ago,” managing director of England men’s cricket, Ashley Giles, said.

    “It’s an exciting group of players, with some young talent and some players who have impressed at a domestic level over a long period of time. We’re in unprecedented territory, in terms of replacing an entire squad and management team, and I’m very proud of how everyone has come together in order to get it done – both those within the ECB and from the county game.

    “Ben hasn’t captained our ODI side before so it’s a huge honour for him. We all wish him well and it’s a role I’m sure he’ll thrive in. I’d like to also put on record the thanks of the ECB to the PCB for their support and understanding during this time,” Giles added.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday expressed satisfaction in a press release over the “assurances and guarantees” given by the England Cricket Board (ECB) over existing protocols in place for the Pakistan cricket team and support staff’s safety.

    The PCB responded to seven members of the England cricket team testing positive for coronavirus. Three players and four members of the support staff tested positive for the infection.

    “Pakistan Cricket Board has been in close contact with the England and Wales Cricket Board regarding concerns about the health and safety of its players since the news of Covid-19 outbreak in the England camp,” said the board in a statement.

    “The PCB is satisfied by the assurances and guarantees provided by the ECB on behalf of its medical panel,” said the PCB.

  • PCB announces men’s central contract list for 2021-22

    PCB announces men’s central contract list for 2021-22

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the central contracts for the men’s national cricket team. Hassan Ali and Mohammad Rizwan have been promoted to category A, while Captain Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi retained their positions in the ‘A’ category.

    Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Fawad Alam, Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah are included in category-B.

    The players included in category C are: Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali and Sarfaraz Ahmed.

    Imran Butt, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir have been placed in Emerging Category.

    According to the press release issued by the PCB, the list has been finalised by the panel that comprised Director-International Cricket, Zakir Khan, chief selector Muhammad Wasim and Director-High Performance, Nadeem Khan, who also consulted head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam as part of the process. The provisional list was then shared with Chief Executive Wasim Khan, before it was approved by PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani.

    “Selecting 20 players amongst a big pool of quality cricketers is always a challenging task. I would like to thank the panel for their diligent work in selecting the 2021-22 central contract list against an agreed criteria,” PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said in a statement.

    “In the new list, we have seen eight new players emerge who have now gained central contracts. Due to the competitive nature of the central contract system, nine players who had contracts in 2020-21 have sadly missed out on this occasion. The door remains firmly open for these players and they will continue to remain in the plans of the selectors.”

    The 12-month contracts will run from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

  • Younis Khan’s shocking revelations

    Younis Khan’s shocking revelations

    Former captain of Pakistan Men’s cricket team Younis Khan has said that if he had to resign from his batting coach position over the incident with Hassan Ali, he would have done so four or five months ago. “My resignation does not match with the rhythm of the incident with Ali.”

    Read more – Younis Khan breaks silence on feud with Hassan Ali

    “I was told that Hassan Ali was sorry, so I went to him myself,” Khan said in 11th Hour.

    Explaining the reasons for his resignation as batting coach, the former captain said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not tell him about the bio-secure bubble for England tour. He had a surgery but he was informed later that his flight has been booked.

    Khan said the doctor’s call came on June 22 that you have not joined the bio-secure bubble, I told him I have surgery I can’t come in the bio-secure bubble.

    “I got another call. I can’t tell you his name yet. I told him I have surgery. I can’t join. I am exhausted. He said if you don’t come, there could be a situation like Muhammad Hafeez. The caller said that just like what happened to Hafeez, it can also happen to you,” shared the 2009 T20 World Cup captain.

    “I told him that I am not Hafeez but Younis Khan and I have no other option, if I will not be respected then how will a player be respected,” he questioned.

    The former captain further said: “I complained to the MD PCB about the NHPC coaches, telling Wasim Khan how outsiders were giving tips when we were there. I was the batting coach of the national team and I was being ignored. If I’ll go to the PCB again, I will write everything on a contract.”

    Host Wasim Badami asked if it was Zakir Khan who called him from PCB. Khan said that he resigned because of the call but will not reveal that person’s name.

    2009 uprising: “Shahid Afridi may be the mastermind if he has said that”

    Younis shared about the 2009 uprising that anyone could have been the mastermind of the incident. “I don’t know, it seems that the whole matter was about the captaincy.”

    The former captain said that the one who spoke in front of the PCB Chairman would be the mastermind of the incident, and if Shahid Afridi spoke, then maybe he was the mastermind.

    He said that Afridi came to Lahore from Karachi to meet the PCB Chairman. A player also took the Holy Quran from me to take an oath against me. A player was sent to me to bring the Holy Quran. He told me that he wants to recite the Quran before the match.

    Badami asked if the player who came to get the Holy Quran was Umar Akmal. On this, Younis Khan said that there are big leaks in the PCB and news has always been leaking.

    Khan said that if a player makes a mistake in the match, you cannot ask him, otherwise, problems will arise. Doubts will arise. And next time, if the player gets out by hitting a short, then what should be done, if the player does not ask for guidance, then there will be suspicions of spot-fixing.

    In response to a question, Khan said that for the last five years he used to stay locked in his room and play his cricket.

  • Younis Khan, Hassan Ali reportedly involved in heated exchange on South Africa tour

    Younis Khan, Hassan Ali reportedly involved in heated exchange on South Africa tour

    Younis Khan, who recently resigned from the post of batting coach in Pakistan’s men’s cricket team, was reportedly involved in a heated exchange with star pacer Hassan Ali during the South Africa tour, sports journalist Saleem Khaliq reported.

    As per details, Younis had approached Hasan over a matter outside his domain in the dressing room after the match, but the latter hit back with a strong response which left the former batting coach unhappy. Younis also remained quiet and reserved during the rest of the tour, after the incident.

    No comment has been made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on the matter yet, while Younis has not shared anything about the incident either.

    PCB and Younis, on June 22, mutually agreed to part ways. A dental treatment and strained relationship between Younis Khan and the top PCB officials was the reason behind the former’s resignation as the batting coach of the Men in Green.

    Younis was also allegedly accused of leaking team lineups to his friends in the media before matches.

    Khan, along with former wicketkeeper Rashid Latif, made a special appearance on ARY News’ popular program ‘Har Lamha Purjosh’, where he recounted the events that took place in the dressing room during his tenure as captain in 2009 and how they used to say that the cricketer is very rude.

    Rashid, while endorsing Khan’s position, revealed that the former players had a big hand in grouping the team against him.