Sports

PSL 9: PM Kakar asks PCB to organise matches across Pakistan

Published

8 months ago

Farwa

PM says cricket plays important role in culminating national spirit.
Directed immediate restoration work for Quetta, Peshawar stadiums.
Stressed efficient elections of PCB Management Committee.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has directed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to devise a comprehensive strategy for organising the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 cricket matches nationwide, The News reported.

Chairing a meeting to discuss the board’s affairs on Monday, the premier was briefed by officials that the cricket league would be held in February 2024, with matches to be hosted in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan.

During the meeting, PM Kakar emphasised the need to keep the country’s interest and dignity at the forefront while appointing trainers, support staff and officials in the PCB.

He further directed that the elections of the board’s Management Committee should be conducted efficiently, highlighting that cricket played a crucial role in uniting the nation and enhancing national spirit.

The prime minister stressed that success in every field could only be achieved through teamwork, and the Pakistan cricket team could unite and accomplish great things. He also emphasised the need to promote the sport in remote areas of the country.

“There is immense cricket talent in Sindh, Balochistan, South Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, newly merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, that needed to be given a chance to be represented at the national level,” the premier said.

He directed PCB to immediately begin restoration work of Quetta’s Bugti Stadium and Peshawar’s Arbab-e Niaz Stadium to hold international cricket matches there.

He also suggested that Gwadar Cricket Stadium and Pissan Stadium in Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan, be adapted for cricket matches.

Kakar also directed the board to conduct an immediate survey of Pissan Stadium, adding that rehabilitation work of the existing cricket stadiums is started on an emergency basis.

In addition, he asked for a plan to be prepared for the establishment of new cricket stadiums equipped with modern facilities along with international standard hotels and shopping areas to promote tourism as well.

He also directed the handing over of the four cricket grounds in Islamabad to the PCB for the development of cricket. The meeting was told that Pakistan would host the Cricket Champions Trophy.

PM Kakar and meeting attendees were informed that the number of cricket associations in the country had increased from six to 16, which would highlight the regional talent. Additionally, construction of cricket infrastructure is underway in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Gujranwala, Peshawar and Bahawalpur.

Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, National Stadium Karachi and Multan Stadium are being converted to solar energy. The meeting was also apprised of the measures being taken for the promotion of women’s cricket in Pakistan.

Federal Minister for Privatisation Fawad Hasan Fawad, PCB Chairman Muhammad Zaka Ashraf Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer, Chief Selector Wahab Riaz and relevant government officials attended the meeting. PCB officials Muhammad Hafeez, Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal participated via video link from Australia.

Commenting on the meeting, former PCB member Shakil Shaikh took to X and lauded the PM for being “firm and principles”. Shakil said the PM met Zak Ashraf and told him to improve his performance or else. He refused to give him powers for long-term decisions. He told Zaka to hold elections immediately.

Latest News

Changes to Pakistan’s Test team could be significant for the Bangladesh series.

Published

17 hours ago

Farwa

Major changes to Pakistan’s team are anticipated ahead of the forthcoming Test series against Bangladesh, sources in Lahore have revealed.

As the team gets ready for the series, meetings with the players are planned for next week.

It is predicted that the Test squad would undergo several changes. The team’s lineup is expected to be strengthened by the likely inclusion of Muhammad Huraira. Key players like Faheem Ashraf, Wasim Jr., Saim Ayub, and Nauman Ali, whose contributions are vital to the team’s success, struggle to get a spot on the squad.

Furthermore, according to sources, Imamul Haq or Sahibzada Farhan are anticipated to be added to the team, subject to additional assessment. Furthermore, following a fitness assessment, Amir Jamal and Hasan Ali’s futures will be determined.

The ultimate selection for the Test team will take place following Red Ball head coach Jason Gillespie’s return to Pakistan. The ultimate squad that will play Bangladesh in the forthcoming Test series will be greatly influenced by his assessments and thoughts.

Pakistan is scheduled to visit New Zealand in March and April of 2025, according to the country’s official cricket schedule, which was released earlier this month.

Throughout their visit, the Pakistan cricket team will play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in an exciting series.

The T20I series, which starts at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on March 16, will serve as the tour’s opening event.

Latest News

The PCB will send Wahab Riaz to the Maldives to attend the ICC’s coaching course.

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is scheduled to conduct a two-day High-Performance workshop in Maldives on 29-30 July. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Wahab Riaz, a retired Test cricketer, and Shahid Anwar, a former international cricketer and current head coach of the National Cricket Academy, will be taking part in the next workshop.

The workshop’s objective is to offer insights into the most up-to-date coaching approaches, as well as strategies for recognising and nurturing talent starting from its early stages.

In addition, Dr. Imran Abbas, the General Manager of Academies, will participate in a four-day training course for ICC Level-2 Tutors in Malé, starting on July 24.

The workshop is an integral component of ICC’s training and education initiative aimed at providing member countries with proficient Level 2 tutors who would subsequently instruct coaches.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) appointed Iqbal Sikander, a former cricketer from Pakistan, and Amin-ul-Islam, a former captain of the Bangladesh Test team, to lead the training.

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Following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dismissed Abdul Razzaq and Wahab Riaz from the selection committee on July 10.

Wahab was dismissed from his role as senior team manager, and Mansoor Rana was terminated from his post as team manager.

After being removed, Wahab utilised social media to release a message, expressing his appreciation for his time on the selection committee. He emphasised that he has many thoughts to share but prefers not to engage in finger-pointing or assigning blame.

“Wahab, in the caption of his social media post, expressed that he has a lot to say but does not wish to engage in the act of assigning blame,”

“My tenure as a member of the selection committee for PCB has concluded. I want to inform my fellow countrymen that I have dedicated myself to serving the game I am passionate about with unwavering commitment and honesty. I have exerted maximum effort to improve the state of cricket in Pakistan.”

“Being a part of the selection panel has been a great privilege.” Being part of the seven-member panel responsible for selecting the national team was a privilege. Each member’s vote held equal importance, and we made decisions collectively as a team. We also shared the responsibility of the selection process equally.

Latest News

Pakistan has advanced to the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 semifinals.

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

GreenshirtsWith a 10-wicket victory over the UAE, the Pakistani women’s cricket team advanced to the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 semifinal. Target: 104 runs in 14 overs were pursued by the Greenshirts.

When playing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Pakistani women’s team won the toss and chose to field.

Captain Nida Dar of the Pakistan women’s cricket team remarked, “The bowlers’ performance in the last match was excellent, and the win against Nepal boosted morale.”

Pakistan’s starting eleven remains unchanged.

Dambulla, a town in Sri Lanka, is the site of the match.