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‘Too much politics’ in PCB, admits Zaka Ashraf

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  • Central contract linked with players’ performance, says PCB chief.
  • Zaka Ashraf says assured Babar of full cooperation before WC 2023.
  • PCB will hold performance review after mega tournament.

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf on Monday said that there’s “too much politics” in the board.

Zaka Ashraf’s comments came in an interview on Geo News show Score where he spoke at length about the team’s prospects in the ICC World Cup 2023, central contracts, and the Pakistan Super League schedule.

In response to a question, he said that the PCB is rife with politics without elaborating further.

The PCB chief hoped that Pakistan would do well in the mega tournament. “We will take more important and big decisions on the basis of the team’s performance in the WC.”

Recently, the Pakistan players were given a massive hike in contracts with skipper Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi having an increment of 202% along with other benefits.

Ashraf said that he had assured Babar Azam of his full cooperation and added that the three-year contract is tied to players’ performance, hinting that it can be terminated in case of poor results.

When asked about the Pakistan Super League’s ninth edition, the PCB chief said that it is not yet decided and a final decision in this regard will be taken in due course according to the situation.

“Players are allowed to play two additional leagues besides PSL and the [PCB] chair will grant NOC not the chief selector [Inzamamul Haq].”

“I will ask Inzamam-ul-Haq how his son got selected in the squad for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy without performance,” Zaka Ashraf said. 

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Saying goodbye to international cricket, Bismah Maroof

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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