Sports

PCB polls likely to take place before Feb 8 as PM nominates Naqvi for Board of Governors

Published

3 months ago

Farwa

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is all set to undergo a major overhaul in the coming weeks with its polls likely to take place before February 8 after caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar Tuesday nominated Mohsin Naqvi for the cricketing body’s Board of Governors (BoG).

The development comes after the premier accepted Zaka Ashraf’s resignation as Management Committee Chairman with Naqvi also replacing him as member BoG.

Ashraf, who became part of PCB’s BoG on July 6 and assumed his role as the Chairman by replacing Najam Sethi on the same day, stepped down from the top post last Friday.

“I was working for the betterment of cricket but it is not possible for us to work in this way,” he was quoted saying by those present in the ongoing committee meeting.

The tenure of the now-former chairman saw the Pakistan cricket team fail to qualify for the final of the Asia Cup 2023, followed by the team’s exit from the World Cup 2023 without reaching the knockout stage.

Following his resignation, the premier nominated Naqvi — a media channel owner currently serving as Punjab’s interim chief minister — who also confirmed his appointment while speaking to reporters in Lahore soon after the news broke out.

“I will try to fix the issues affecting Pakistan cricket. Reforms in cricket are the need of the hour,” Naqvi said.

Meanwhile, following the acceptance of Ashraf’s resignation, the PCB’s affairs now fall under the supervision of Election Commissioner Shah Khawar — who has been directed to expedite the formation of the BoG and ensure a swift and transparent election process.

As per Clause 2 of Article 7 of the PCB constitution, all powers are transferred to the Chief Election Commissioner in the event of a vacant chairman post.

Speaking to Geo News exclusively, caretaker Federal Minister for Privatisation and Inter-Provincial Coordination Fawad Hasan Fawad has confirmed the developments saying that interim PCB Chairman, Khawar, has been directed to expedite the formation of the BoG and ensure a swift and transparent election process.

The minister also confirmed that notification for Naqvi’s nomination for PCB’s BoG has been issued.

The current situation has set the stage for Naqvi to potentially become PCB chairman, who by the date of assuming charge, would have relinquished his duties as Punjab’s chief executive owing to the culmination of the February 8 general elections, sources told Geo News.

Latest News

Saying goodbye to international cricket, Bismah Maroof

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

The decision to leave international cricket was made by Pakistani women’s cricket player Bismah Maroof on Thursday.

According to details, Maroof declared, “I am choosing to say goodbye to the sport, which I really enjoy. I have had a really memorable cricket journey.”

Saying, “The PCB, companions, family, and fans have always supported me,” she highlighted the importance of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and fans to her career.

With an average of 29.55, Maroof had scored 3369 runs in 136 WODIs while playing for Pakistan.

Throughout 140 WT20Is, Maroof averaged 27.55 and scored 2893 runs.

Latest News

For the Pakistani team’s T20I against New Zealand, Haseebullah has replaced Azam Khan.

Published

6 days ago

Farwa

In a brief press release, PCB said, “The national selection committee has announced wicketkeeper/batter Haseebullah as the replacement player for Azam Khan, who was sidelined from the T20I series against New Zealand due to a tear in his right calf muscle.”

The information indicates that Haseebullah will become a member of the Pakistan team following the third Twenty20 International, and he will be eligible to be selected for the two remaining Twenty20 Internationals, which are slated to take place in Lahore on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

Earlier in the year, Haseebullah, 21, played in his only Twenty20 international match against New Zealand.

or the unfamiliar, Azam Khan was declared out of the whole series on Saturday after missing the first Twenty20 International because of pain in his right knee and right calf muscle.

According to PCB, “Azam Khan has been advised to undergo a 10-day rest following radiology reports confirming a Grade One tear of his right calf muscle.”

The announcement also stated, “Azam will therefore be unable to take part in the current Twenty20 International series against New Zealand, which concludes in Lahore on April 27.”

Notably, Mark Chapman’s incredible innings helped the visitors to an easy seven-wicket victory in the third Twenty20 International, tying the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand at one.

Pakistan team for the Twenty20 Internationals in New Zealand

Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Babar Azam (c), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, and Muhammad Wasim Jr. are the reserve players.

Latest News

Rain cancels out Pakistan vs. New Zealand’s opening Twenty20 international

Published

1 week ago

Farwa

As the rain returned, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s expertly timed in-swinger to dismiss Tim Robinson left only a two-ball match going on at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

On-field umpires Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza shook hands with the players and decided to call off the contest as soon as the rain started up again. Additionally, there was a thirty-minute delay in the planned fixture toss. Then, after winning the coin toss, Michael Bracewell, the captain of New Zealand, decided to bat first.

The players from both sides assembled shortly after for the national anthems, but more rain caused the proceedings to be postponed.

The match appeared likely to be called off before a ball was played due to the intensity of the second spell of rain. But after the rain stopped, the ground crew worked extremely hard, and the game might go into five overs.

The second game, which takes place at the same location on April 20, will pit the two teams against one another.