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Quetta ‘to not host’ PSL 2023 matches

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2 years ago

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KARACHI: Quetta will no longer be the fifth venue for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) — scheduled to begin next month.

Speaking to The News, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said that all the efforts to organise some of the PSL matches at the Bugti Stadium in Quetta proved “futile due to various reasons”, with the foremost being extreme weather conditions in the city.

“We are thankful to all those who helped the PCB with its efforts to organise PSL matches in Quetta. Following the announcement by the PCB Management Committee head Najam Sethi, we sent a special team to Quetta with the aim to make special arrangements to organise some of the PSL matches there,” the official said.

“The team held meetings with all the stakeholders in Quetta but came to the conclusion that it would not be possible to organise matches in the city this fall,” the official said.

“We are thankful to all, including the Corps Commander and the provincial administration for extending full support. However, we have decided that this time it will not be feasible to hold PSL matches there.”

“The main reason is extreme weather in Quetta and also the delay in starting the preparations for the extravaganza,” he said.

The official, however, was hopeful of organising warm-up or exhibition matches at the venue with the plan that from next year onward, Quetta would become a permanent venue for the PSL.

“I think from 2024 onward, Quetta can become a permanent venue of the PSL fixtures,” the official added.

The News, however, has learnt that one of the issues that prevented the PCB from conducting matches in Quetta was the difficulty of effective beaming of the PSL matches and technicalities involved in it.

“Sethi and other members of the board made sincere efforts to take the PSL to Quetta. We strongly believe that PSL nine matches can well be organised in Quetta in an effective and professional way. We are planning to kick-start the preparations early,” the official said.

The PCB official was also hopeful about holding some of the matches in Peshawar next year.

“Besides Quetta, we are also planning to hold some of the PSL 9 matches in Peshawar,” the official said.

The PSL 2023 matches, starting in February, will now be held at four venues — Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Rawalpindi.

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Global boards, ICC, PCB, and BCCI compete for the Champions Trophy in an attempt to end the standoff.

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2 days ago

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are at odds over the hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, and the matter is still unresolved.

Cricket boards from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa have also entered the debate, according to sources, and are pleading with the ICC to settle the issue as soon as possible.

The ICC was apparently approached by the three boards to voice their worries on the tournament’s uncertainty. They underlined the need of being clear about the hosting arrangements and schedule.

Sources claim that the boards have also endorsed Pakistan’s position and warned of the consequences if India keeps declining to compete in tournaments held in Pakistan.

The PCB has reaffirmed that it will not bend its stance unless the BCCI offers formal assurances that it will be able to participate. Before proceeding, the federal government of Pakistan has cautioned against taking any chances and demands unambiguous promises from India.

The situation has fueled concerns among cricketing nations about future tournaments.

Several boards have reportedly urged the ICC to establish clear guidelines to avoid similar disputes. While everyone waits for a resolution, tensions continue to rise.

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PCB releases the South Africa series squads, including the comeback of key players.

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1 week ago

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On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed the teams for the forthcoming series against South Africa, which is set to start on December 10.

With the announcement that the series will be played in both red-ball and white-ball forms, several important players who had been sidelined because of injuries or workload management have made their comebacks.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, a fast bowler, will return to the white-ball team after missing the last two Test matches against England. His inclusion is thought to be a crucial step in guaranteeing optimal fitness prior to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. In the ODIs and T20Is against South Africa, Afridi, who has been recuperating from workload-related issues, will be hoping to contribute.

The seasoned fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, who was called up to the Test team following an outstanding showing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, is another important addition.

Abbas demonstrated his excellent form and made a compelling argument for his selection with an outstanding 31 wickets in five games. Abbas, who hasn’t played Test cricket since 2021, will give Pakistan’s bowling attack vital depth in the red-ball format.

Naseem Shah is back in the ODI and Test squads after missing the most recent England series owing to injury. Pakistan will rely heavily on the 21-year-old’s speed and ability to disrupt top-order batsmen in both formats.

Along with the seasoned players, a number of fresh talents have been called up. After making an impression with the Pakistan Shaheens, Khurram Shahzad has won a position in the Test team, while Mir Hamza also returns. Following impressive performances in the T20I series, left-arm wrist spinner Sufyan Moqim was called up for the first time for the 50-over format and was added to the ODI squad.

On the other hand, off-spinner Sajid Khan has been excluded despite playing well in the England series. Only one specialist spinner, Noman Ali, has been chosen by the selectors to be a member of the Test team.

Pakistan test squad:

  • Shan Masood (captain)
  • Saud Shakeel (vice-captain)
  • Aamir Jamal
  • Abdullah Shafique
  • Babar Azam
  • Haseebullah (wk)
  • Kamran Ghulam
  • Khurram Shahzad
  • Mir Hamza
  • Mohammad Abbas
  • Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
  • Naseem Shah
  • Noman Ali
  • Saim Ayub
  • Salman Ali Agha

Pakistan ODI Squad:

  • Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk)
  • Abdullah Shafique
  • Abrar Ahmed
  • Babar Azam
  • Haris Rauf
  • Kamran Ghulam
  • Mohammad Hasnain
  • Muhammad Irfan Khan
  • Naseem Shah
  • Saim Ayub
  • Salman Ali Agha
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi
  • Sufyan Moqim
  • Tayyab Tahir
  • Usman Khan (wk)

Pakistan T20I Squad:

  • Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk)
  • Abrar Ahmed
  • Babar Azam
  • Haris Rauf
  • Jahandad Khan
  • Mohammad Abbas Afridi
  • Mohammad Hasnain
  • Muhammad Irfan Khan
  • Omair Bin Yousuf
  • Saim Ayub
  • Salman Ali Agha
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi
  • Sufyan Moqim
  • Tayyab Tahir
  • Usman Khan (wk)

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With a resounding victory, Pakistan wins the Blind T20 World Cup.

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Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by a resounding 10-wicket margin in the final to win the Blind T20 World Cup. In just 11 overs, the home team chased down a target of 140 runs, demonstrating their superior skill and coordination.

The game’s star was Nisar Ali, who gave an incredible batting effort. He ensured a smooth and conclusive victory for Pakistan by smashing an undefeated 72 runs off just 31 balls.

With the win, Pakistan’s stellar record in blind cricket gains yet another honor, solidifying its supremacy in the game.

Supporters nationwide rejoiced after the team’s outstanding accomplishment.

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