Pakistan Cricket Board

PCB to face heavy losses if it withdraws as Champions Trophy 2025 hosts

The Pakistan Cricket Board could face revenue losses, lawsuits and also risk international alienation if it decides to withdraw from the ICC Champions Trophy over a deadlock on the mode of organising the 50-over event scheduled in February-March next year. A senior cricket administrator here, who is well-versed with the organisation of ICC events, told PTI on Wednesday that it would not be an easy decision for the PCB to pull out if the hybrid model is not accepted in entirety by the ICC and the BCCI. "Pakistan has not only signed a host agreement with the ICC but like all other participating nations in the event, it has also signed a mandatory Members' Participation Agreement (MPA) with the ICC," the administrator explained. "It is only after a member nation signs the MPA for playing in an ICC event that it is eligible to get a share of revenues earned from ICC events. "Most importantly when the ICC signed a broadcast deal for all its events, it has given a guarantee that all ICC

Champions Trophy reaches Pakistan for tour; schedule yet to be announced

Even though the ICC is yet to announce the final schedule of the Champions Trophy, it flew the trophy to Pakistan on Thursday for a tour of the country beginning November 16. According to a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official, the trophy tour would begin from Skardu in northern Pakistan. "The tour will cover major Pakistani cities where the Champions Trophy matches are set to be played," the official said. The trophy has arrived at a time when the International Cricket Council (ICC) has sought a response from the PCB on hosting the prestigious event in a hybrid model following India's refusal to travel to the country for the tournament. The trophy was supposed to be unveiled in Lahore earlier this month but the ceremony was postponed after India informed the ICC that it wouldn't be sending its team to Pakistan, and also because of the smog situation in the city. But, on Thursday, the trophy was finally brought to Islamabad from Dubai by the ICC officials. The tour, which will .

AUS vs PAK: Gillespie likely to be appointed Pakistan's all-format coach

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may make Jason Gillespie as the all-format head coach of the national team if the results of the ongoing white-ball tour of Australia is "satisfactory", according to sources. Test team head coach Gillispie is also taking charge of the white-ball side in Australia after Gary Kirsten's sudden resignation. For the moment, the Board is working on a plan to appoint Jason Gillespie as all-format head coach instead of advertising for new candidates, a PCB source told PTI on Thursday. If Pakistan performs satisfactorily in the remaining games in Australia, then in all probability, Gillispie would be asked to take over as all formats head coach, the source added. Pakistan suffered a two-wicket loss against Australia in the opening ODI in Melbourne on November 4. They will play against Australia in two more ODIs on Friday (Adelaide) and Sunday (Perth), before facing the same opponents in three T20Is -- on November 14, 16 and 18. Immediately afterwards, the team

PCB assures quick visa issuance to Indian fans for Champions Trophy

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Federal Interior Minister, on Friday assured a brisk visa issuance policy for Indian fans wanting to visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy early next year. He made the assurances during a meeting with a group of Sikh pilgrims from the United State. Naqvi said the PCB was expecting a positive response from Indian fans to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. "We will be keeping a special quota of tickets for Indian fans and we will try to make the visa issuance policy brisk," Naqvi was quoted as saying by a newspaper. Naqvi said that the PCB would like to see Indian fans visit Pakistan and watch the Indian and Pakistan match in Lahore. Pakistan is scheduled to host the ICC mega event in February-March 2025 but until now the ICC has still not released the tournament schedule as they wait on confirmation if the Indian government would allow its team to travel to Pakistan for the event. The BCCI has made it clear it has to follow an

Gary Kirsten broke his contract with PCB and made some breaches: Naqvi

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday said that South African Gary Kirsten ended his tenure as Pakistan white-ball head coach as he made "some breaches" of his contract with the Board. However, it was widely reported that Kirsten, who guided India to 2011 World Cup triumph, resigned following a rift with the Pakistan Cricket Board after the coaches were stripped of their powers in selection matters. Kirsten has so far not made any comments to give his side of the story. Naqvi said Kirsten had ended the contract with the Board and it was not the other way round. He (Kirsten) broke his contract with the PCB and made some breaches. He ended the contract with us, Naqvi told the media Tuesday night during an informal discussion. He refused to make any more comments on the matter. Though the PCB had not given the reason for Kirsten's sudden resignation, sources have confirmed that it was because he was not involved when the Board announced the squads for the Australia and Zimbabwe tou

Coach Gary Kirsten resigns after Rizwan replaces Babar as Pakistan captain

Rizwan was named Pakistan's ODI and T20 captain, replacing Babar Azam. Salman Ali Agha was made vice-captain for all future ODI and T20 international assignments.

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman to escape with a reprimand for criticising PCB

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is likely to escape with a reprimand for criticising the PCB ahead of the squad announcement, where it planned to drop former skipper Babar Azam for two Tests against England. Azam, along with several senior players, got eventually dropped for two Test days after Fakhar expressed his displeasure on social media. Fakhar was issued a show-cause notice by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after he tweeted his views where he compared Azam's run drought with India's Virat Kohli, who went through a lean patch between 2020 and late 2022. "It's concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn't bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively," Fakhar wrote on 'X'. "If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic butt

Champions Trophy: Play in Pak, return home same day, PCB proposal to India

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reached out to the BCCI and proposed an arrangement allowing India to return to either New Delhi or Chandigarh in between matches during the Champions Trophy next year if the team is not willing to stay in Pakistan due to security reasons. The PCB has "verbally" suggested to the BCCI that the Indian team can set up a camp in either New Delhi or Chandigarh/Mohali and use chartered flights to travel to Lahore for their matches. A PCB source though confirmed to PTI on Friday that the the board had not made any suggestions in writing to their Indian counterparts. "But yes it is true that these options have been discussed verbally between officials as a way to ensure that India plays its matches in Pakistan," the source said. The Champions Trophy is slated to take place from February 19 to March 9, with matches scheduled in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. Due to its proximity to the Indian border and logistical ease, the PCB has planned India's mat

PCB not willing to move Champions Trophy 2025 final out of Lahore

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mentally prepared for India's refusal to travel to the country for the Champions Trophy but it won't move the title clash of the tournament from Lahore even if the arch-rivals qualify for the final on March 9, sources said on Friday. The PCB's stance on hosting the final is up for debate when the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board members meet in Dubai from October 18 to 21. "The PCB's first choice and priority is to host entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan and they are counting on this but internally the Board is also mentally prepared to hear about the Indian government not allowing its team to play in Pakistan and India's matches being held in UAE," a PCB source said. "But the PCB has decided even in the event of India not playing in Pakistan they want the final to be held in Lahore. Even if India qualifies for the final the PCB wants the ICC to hold the match at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore," the source said. The bilateral cricketing

PCB show causes Fakhar Zaman after batter comes out in support of Babar

Pakistan Cricket Board has issued a show cause notice to its centrally contracted player Fakhar Zaman for an alleged breach of the players code of conduct. Fakhar had questioned the decision to exclude Babar Azam from the Pakistan squad for the second and third Test against England in a social media post on Sunday. Fakhar has been asked to submit his reply to the show cause notice by October 21 after the PCB informed him in a notice that he had committed a breach of his contract by criticising the board policies and selection. It's concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn't bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively. "If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button; we should focus on safeguarding our key players rat

Retired umpire Aleem Dar named Pakistan selector as PCB rejig committee

Despite posting over 500 runs in their first innings, Pakistan's loss marked the first instance of a Test-playing nation being defeated after such a score.

Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana to return home from T20 World Cup 2024

Muneeba will continue in the leadership role in Pakistan's final group game against New Zealand as well if Sana is unable to return in time for the encounter in the UAE.

Former PAK opener Mudassar Nazar blasts PCB for team's recent downfall

Former Pakistan opener Mudassar Nazar has blamed PCB for the escalating tension between senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, insisting that the board must provide its captain with ample support and time to assert his leadership. Babar resigned as Pakistan captain for the second time on Wednesday, having previously stepped down last year after a disappointing performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup, following which Shaheen was appointed as the limited-overs skipper. However, the pacer was quickly removed from the role, with the PCB reinstating Babar as the white-ball captain in March this year. "It is our own doing (the friction between Babar and Shaheen). We shouldn't have messed around with the set-up," Mudassar told PTI on the sidelines of the 'Cricket Predicta Conclave' in Ajman, UAE. "There was one set captain, we should have given him a longer term and if somebody else had been made a captain, then he should have had a decent go at it. And not been thrown out ...

Pak players draw flak for taking families to US for ICC T20 World Cup

Pakistan's disastrous T20 World Cup campaign in the USA has expectedly triggered a backlash against the players, who are being criticised for taking their families along, even as their beleaguered cricket board mulled invoking a new defamation law to tackle "unsubstantiated claims and reports". According to a local media report, apart from the nearly 34 players, support staff and officials who were part of the national squad in the USA, the team hotel was teeming with around 26 to 28 family members of the players. These included their wives, children, parents and even siblings in some cases. Pakistan were eliminated after losing to India and debutants USA in their group league stage matches held in New York. The report said players like Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, and Muhammad Amir were among those who had family members travelling with them. Babar, who is not married, had his father, mother and brothers staying in the team hotel. "The extra expenses incurre

T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan team requires major surgery feels PCB chairman

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi came down heavily on the team management and said the Babar Azam-led side requires "major surgery" following its six-run loss against arch-rivals India in the T20 World Cup. Chasing an underwhelming 120-run target, Pakistani batters consumed 59 dot balls to be restricted to 113 for 7 in New York on Sunday. "I thought the team required minor surgery to start winning matches but now it appears that we have to go for major surgery," Naqvi was quoted as saying by the Pakistani media in New York. Naqvi also felt that it is time to start looking at players who are sitting outside the team for sometime now. "It is very disappointing the way we lost to the USA and now this loss to India. We need to now start looking at players beyond those in the team right now," he said. Naqvi, who took over as chairman in January and later also became the interior minister in the government, made it clear that the PCB had done everything to facilitate the ...

Azhar Mahmood likely to be named Pakistan's assistant coach across formats

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood is likely to be named assistant coach of the national team across formats. Mahmood was on Monday named the interim head coach for the home series against New Zealand beginning April 18 as the board is yet to announce finalise long-term deals with foreign coaches Australian Jason Gillespie and South African Gary Kirsten. While Gillespie has been picked to be head coach for the red-ball format, Kirsten will be head coach for the white-ball formats. Indications are that Mahmood will be assistant coach to both of them in all three formats.. Mahmood, who has worked as bowling coach with the Pakistan team, is based in the United Kingdom and is a certified coach with English and Wales Cricket Board. Besides Mahmood, the board has also named Muhammad Yousuf, who is also a national selector, as batting coach for the New Zealand series. And interestingly it has named two managers for the five-match series with a special post of senior team manager

T20 World Cup 2024: Babar Azam reappointed as Pakistan's white-ball skipper

Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was on Sunday reappointed as the white-ball captain, two months ahead of the T20 World Cup. The decision was taken after a unanimous recommendation from the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) selection committee. "Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB's selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team," the PCB said in a media release. Babar had stepped down as captain from all three formats for Pakistan after a disappointing outing at the ODI World Cup in India in November last year. Babar had relinquished his role after the then PCB chief Zaka Ashraf told him he would no longer be captain in white-ball formats and would only lead the Test team. Babar replaces fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as the T20 captain, who led Pakistan in the 1-4 series loss against New Zealand in January. The T20 World Cup will begin from June 1 in the USA and the West

PCB to appoint separate foreign coaches for red and white ball: Sources

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to appoint separate foreign coaches for red ball and white ball formats, narrowing down to former Australian pacer Jason Gillispie and ex-South African batter Gary Kirsten as probable candidates for the respective positions, according to sources. The PCB on Saturday officially issued advertisements for the red ball and white ball coaches' positions. Interested candidates -- foreign and local -- can apply by April 15 and they must have at least five years of experience of coaching a domestic, international or franchise team besides holding a minimum of level two coaching credentials. It said candidates with a higher level of coaching credentials would be given preference in the appointments. A PCB source, however, told PTI that though the advertisement has invited applications, the Board has held talks with Kirsten and Gillispie and is keen on them applying so that they can be appointed on a long-term basis. Kirsten, who had earlier coached

T20 World Cup: PCB wants to bring Babar Azam back as Pakistan's captain

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has offered Babar Azam captaincy in the white ball formats but the star player has not yet made his decision, sources have claimed. It has been learnt that Babar has set down conditions for accepting the captaincy, including having a say in appointment of coaches. Babar has conveyed that he should given the reins of the side in all three formats. The national selection committee, though is divided on the issue. A former Punjab caretaker minister, who apparently has no cricket background, is not in favour giving back absolute power to Babar. "Some members of the selection committee now feel the best thing is to let Shaheen Shah Afridi continue as captain for the home T20 series against New Zealand in April and give him a chance to prove his credentials," one well-informed source said. He said there was a feeling among some selectors it would be best to wait for a series or two before taking a final decision to bring back Babar as captain. The interesting p

Pakistan Cricket Board set to announce revamped selection committee

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has decided to revamp the national selection committee to give it more independence and authority to appoint the captain and team. "I don't want to get involved in appointing the captain, team and all that. I will be revamping the national selection committee and will give it more authority and independence to take cricket related decisions, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday during a press conference here. "The revamped selection committee will, after discussions with the team's head coach, recommend the captain and team. I want the selection committee, coach and captain to be independent to make decisions which they feel are best for the Pakistan team. "My job is to govern and administrate the board affairs properly to facilitate the players, he added. Naqvi said the board was in final talks with a candidate to take over as Pakistan's head coach. "Our team is talking to this person and I don't want to take his name before everyt