Cricket Sri Lanka Is Suspended By The ICC Due To Political Interference
November 10, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
Sri Lanka Cricket, according to the organization that oversees the sport, is in “serious breach” of its duties to function independently of the government.
On Friday, Sri Lanka’s membership was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) effective immediately.
The ICC indicated that the reason for the indefinite suspension was political intervention. The board was requested to quit by the Sri Lankan government the day before due to allegations of corruption.
What The ICC Stated On Sri Lanka Cricket’s Ban
According to the international governing body of cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket was “in serious breach of its obligations as a member, in particular, the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and to ensure that there is no government interference.” This determination was made.
The ICC board will determine the terms of the ban in due course, the statement stated.
World Cup Match Between India And Pakistan Is Scheduled For Ahmedabad
June 28, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
The International Cricket Council said on Tuesday that India will host Pakistan’s cricket team for the first time in seven years at the 50-over World Cup in October, with the first semi-final taking place in Mumbai on November 15 and the second in Kolkata the following day.
On October 5, the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, which will also host the championship match, will open the tournament with a match between the defending champions England and New Zealand.
The most anticipated match between rivals India and Pakistan will take place on October 15 in the same potentially tense location, after the hosts’ campaign opener against Australia a week earlier.
Due to Pakistan’s prior rejection to visit India, the schedule wasn’t released for several weeks. However, a solution was made when Pakistan agreed to host a hybrid-style Asia Cup in September.
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), their side would need permission from Islamabad to compete.
Sami Ul Hasan, the director of communications at PCB, said, “We are coordinating with our government for direction.
This stance is in line with what we informed the ICC when they shared the draught timetable with us and asked for our input a few weeks ago, he said. Pakistan, which has a majority of Muslims, is concerned about Ahmedabad, the city where India’s Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi was born. Pakistan has previously voiced reluctance to play in the 132,000-seat stadium.
At least 1,000 people, predominantly Muslims, died in sectarian violence in Ahmedabad in 2002, which was the epicentre of fatal religious rioting and shocked the whole globe.
Due to security concerns, the match during Pakistan’s previous T20 World Cup cricket tour of India was moved from Dharamsala to Kolkata.
The top four teams from the 10-team round-robin round will advance to the semi-finals, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement 100 days before the competition starts. The 48-match tournament will be contested at 10 locations over 46 days.
The World Cup Super League has already produced eight clubs that have qualified. At the conclusion of the current qualifying round in Zimbabwe, the remaining two seats will be filled.
Playing at the World Cup at home would be a fantastic experience, the Indian captain Rohit Sharma said. “India won here 12 years ago, and I know supporters across the country are eagerly awaiting our arrival on the pitch this time.”
Due to long-standing political difficulties, India and Pakistan only play cricket against one other in international events, generally at neutral grounds, most notably last year during the T20 World Cup in Australia.
As a result, each game between the South Asian neighbors ranks among the most popular athletic events on the world stage, and any victory is exploited to bolster nationalism at home.
273 million people watched the India vs. Pakistan 50-over World Cup match in 2019.
Since 2012, India and Pakistan have not played one another in a bilateral series on either nation’s territory.
Additionally, they haven’t faced off in a Test match since 2007, instead just competing in the shorter games.
Deep cultural and linguistic ties exist between India and Pakistan, but their past is marred by murder and tragedy.
Three wars have been fought between the two nuclear-armed countries since the subcontinent was divided in 1947.
India last took home the ODI World Cup trophy in 2011. Since then, in 2015 and 2019, respectively, Australia and England have won the championship in their own backyards.
On October 29 in Lucknow, India will play England, while on November 4 in Ahmedabad, the English will play Australia.
The semifinal and championship games will be place on reserve days, and all three will be day-night affairs.
India And Pakistan Agree To Play Their World Cup Encounter In Ahmedabad
June 11, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
Pakistan first had worries about performing in Ahmedabad for security grounds. The location of the World Cup match between India and Pakistan has been decided, according to an agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Pakistan has finally accepted to take on India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, according to a report from Dainik Jagran.
Pakistan had first raised security-related reservations about playing in Ahmedabad. However, a solution has been achieved following discussions and negotiations between the BCCI and PCB. Following the BCCI’s decision to approve the PCB’s suggested hybrid concept for the Asia Cup, this choice was made.
The first four games of the tournament’s group stage will be played in Lahore, Pakistan, in accordance with the hybrid concept put out by the PCB. The following round, which will include games involving India and the championship, will take place in Sri Lanka. This agreement allays Pakistan’s security worries while allowing both nations to hold games.
If their hybrid concept was rejected, the PCB had threatened to boycott the Asia Cup and then the ODI World Cup in India.
In order to allay these worries, representatives from the International Cricket Council (ICC), including Chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice, travelled to Lahore and met with PCB representatives in order to get a commitment that the Pakistan squad will go to India for the 2023 World Cup.
The BCCI chose to accept the PCB’s suggested hybrid approach and conduct the World Cup match between India and Pakistan in Ahmedabad in light of this promise. This match is crucial since it will pit the two bitter rivals against one another on Indian soil for the first time since 2016.
The expectation of a sizable number of foreign spectators travelling to India for the tournament led the BCCI to decide to hold this intense match in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. The Narendra Modi venue is the largest cricket venue in the nation, with space for up to 100,000 spectators.
The report also stated that Chennai and Hyderabad will host the majority of Pakistan’s World Cup games.
The World Cup schedule has already been provided by the BCCI to the ICC, and it is anticipated to be made public by Wednesday. The high-profile encounter between India and Pakistan, which is expected to be an exciting match showing the great rivalry between the two cricketing nations, is highly anticipated by cricket fans across the world.
BCB Adopts A Definite Position On The 2023 Asia Cup
May 30, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC)’s decision about the 2019 Asia Cup will be supported by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
It should be mentioned that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to send its team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup and is adamant that the competition take place in a neutral location.
However, the PCB has no interest in organizing the tournament outside of Pakistan since doing so would undermine its attempts to bring back international cricket to the nation.
Pakistan Will Host The Occasion
The hybrid plan, put up by the PCB, which saw four of the group stage matches played in Pakistan and the rest of the competition taking place at a neutral site, is also not expected to be approved by the BCCI.
Due to the intense heat, the BCB has previously raised concerns about the UAE being one of the neutral locations.
“We would like to participate in the Asia Cup. We are interested in the competition regardless of the model it is held in. We would have to play there if the ACC says the event will be held in Dubai and the other members concur, BCB Cricket Operations Chairman Jalal Yunus told the local media on Monday.
Since we are concentrating on the World Cup, there is discomfort. We declined to play in Dubai because we were considering our preparations. We are awaiting the ACC’s judgement,” he continued.
Najam Sethi, the chairman of the PCB Management Committee, had urged a logical strategy to resolve the situation, which affects both the country’s participation in this year’s ODI World Cup and the successful hosting of the Asia Cup.
Sethi stated that the likelihood of the Pakistani squad visiting India for the ODI World Cup is slim while speaking to the media on the occasion of the meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC).
“In the event that India declines to visit Pakistan to compete in the Asia Cup, there is a potential that the Pakistani authorities won’t permit the Men in Green to cross the border to participate in the World Cup. The ultimate loser in such scenario will be cricket, according to Sethi.
“There should be a compromise to resolve issues that unquestionably jeopardies the successful holding of ICC and ACC events. The government would not let us to travel to India to participate in World Cup matches if India refuses to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, he said.
Before Approving A Hybrid Concept For The World Cup, BCCI Requests Confirmation From PCB
May 21, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
The planned dates for the Asia Cup are September 2 through September 16.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has often argued that the whole Asia Cup should take place in a neutral location and has rejected the concept of sending their team to Pakistan for this year’s competition.
PCB, on the other hand, is determined about holding the tournament in their area, if not the entirety of it. Najam Sethi, the chairman of the PCB management committee, proposed a hybrid plan to achieve this, according to which Pakistan would host the first four games in the tournament’s group stage. Additionally, the finals and matches involving India will be played in a neutral site during the next round.
In the event that the BCCI does not ultimately approve the hybrid format, the PCB president has openly threatened to withdraw from the Asia Cup in 2023.
The standoff appears to be ending, according to sources in the PCB. BCCI and ACC members have advised board authorities that they are open to accepting the new hybrid model put out by PCB.
In exchange, PCB must guarantee BCCI that they would send a side to India for the 2023 World Cup. Although PCB has not yet responded in this respect, a favorable reaction is not ruled out.
The PCB officials were expecting for an email from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), despite Saturday being a holiday, but it never came.
The ODI World Cup is scheduled to be contested this year, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has convened a Special General Meeting (SGM) for May 27 in Ahmedabad to supervise it. In this meeting, the aforementioned hybrid model may be authorized. On that day, the World Cup schedule is also anticipated to be revealed.
Before the aforementioned meeting, BCCI would like assurance from PCB on their participation in the World Cup. The head of the PCB has also voiced opposition to hosting the India-Pakistan game in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Once the impasse is broken, the high-profile matchup between the bitter adversaries will be held somewhere else.
UAE is also interested to host the Asia Cup’s second round. The Emirates Cricket Board has recommended that games begin around 4:30 PM in order to escape the heat.
It should be mentioned that the proposed dates for the Asia Cup are September 2 through September 16.
For The New Zealand Series, PCB Has Announced The Team Management
April 9, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
The management of the national men’s squad for the forthcoming T20I and ODI series against New Zealand was revealed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday. Rehan: ul: Haq, the general manager of Islamabad United, the two-time PSL winners, has been named team manager.
Grant Bradburn, a former Test cricketer for New Zealand, will serve as the head coach, while Abdul Rehman will serve as his assistant. After Umar Gul’s extension as bowling coach, Andrew Puttick will start as the team’s batting coach.
According to reports, Mickey Arthur, a prospective team director in the future, has been chosen to keep the administration of the club in the loop. After the home New Zealand trip, it is probable that the previous national team head coach will be officially announced to assume the position.
For the New Zealand series, Bradburn and Puttick have been selected and will travel in Lahore on April 11. After the conclusion of the pertinent hiring processes, which are currently continuing, the PCB will confirm the management of the Pakistan squad for the post-New Zealand series.
Rehan Ul Haq, the team manager
Grant Bradburn, the head coach
Abdul Rehman, the assistant head coach
Andrew Puttick, Umar Gul, the strength and conditioning coach
Talha Ijaz, the analyst
Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, the media and digital manager
Melbourne Considers Hosting The Test Between Pakistan & India
December 29, 2022 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
These images combine Virat Kohli (L) and Babar Azam (R).
India and Pakistan have not met in the longest format of the game since 2007, when bilateral cricket between the neighbours was stopped. The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is now investigating the potential of staging a Test match between the two nations.
Since hosting Pakistan in a limited-overs series in 2013, the only times India and Pakistan have faced off against one another have been at the 20- and 50-over World Cups and the Asia Cup.
The two last crossed paths at the Twenty20 World Cup in October, where over 90,000 spectators packed the Melbourne Cricket Ground to witness India triumph in a nail-biting final ball contest.
Since 2007, when bilateral cricket between the neighbors was discontinued, India and Pakistan have not played one other in the longest format of the game. The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is now looking at the possibility of holding a Test game between the two countries.
India and Pakistan have only competed against one another at the 20- and 50-over World Cups and the Asia Cup since hosting Pakistan in a limited-overs series in 2013.
“Cricket Australia has been contacted about it. I am aware that Victoria’s government has done the same. Between the extremely hectic schedule and how much I can grasp, it’s quite complicated. Therefore, I believe that presents the bigger issue.
Fox expressed his hope that Cricket Australia will continue to advocate for the plan with the International Cricket Council, which oversees the sport internationally.
“I believe it would be far better to have a full house and that mood and celebrate the game with full houses,” Fox continued. “When you do see some of the stadiums across the world empty.”
New Zealand team Arrives In Pakistan for Test & ODI Matches
December 23, 2022 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
A year after cancelling their tour due to a security concern, the New Zealand cricket team returned to Pakistan on Thursday to play two Test matches and three one-day internationals.
The arrival of the Kiwis follows England’s rout of Pakistan at home in a three-match Test series, which resulted in the dismissal of the host country’s cricket board president.
When they failed to show up to Rawalpindi Stadium in September of last year and said they were leaving, New Zealand deeply infuriated Pakistan.
After Australia’s well-received tour in March, which was followed by two trips from England, they delayed the visit.
The trip will begin on Monday in Karachi with the first Test, which will include the current 15-man New Zealand side, which is coached by seasoned fast bowler Tim Southee.
On January 3, the second Test will begin at Multan. On January 10, 12, and 14, one-day internationals will be played in Karachi.
Hasan Ali, a fast bowler, was recalled to the 16-man Pakistani Test team on Wednesday.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, the team’s spearhead, is sidelined with a knee injury. Pakistan will have the opportunity to improve during the Test series against New Zealand following an embarrassing loss to England.
When a bomb went off outside their hotel in Karachi in 2002, killing 14 people including French naval personnel, New Zealand had to end their tour. In 2003, they went back but skipped the massive port city.
The attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009 made Pakistan a no-go location for international cricket, requiring Pakistan to play home matches at neutral locations, mostly in the United Arab Emirates.
But after significant security upgrades in 2015, international cricket has slowly resumed, and this year has been a busy home season with visits from Australia, England, and New Zealand.
New Zealand Squad:
Tim Southee (captain), Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, and Will Young are the members of the New Zealand team.
The Australian Hotel Apology & Dismisses The Staff Members Who Videotaped Virat Kohli’s Room
November 2, 2022 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
Perth’s Crown Towers said they are looking into it to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
The Crown Towers Perth hotel in Australia, where the Indian cricket team was staying for their T20 World Cup matches, released a statement after one of its staff members breached Virat Kohli’s privacy and recorded him in his hotel room.
The hotel expressed regret and removed the offenders from the property, vowing to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
Kohli expressed his displeasure at the breach of his privacy in a video dubbed “King Kohli’s Hotel Room” that was posted on his Instagram on Monday. According to a copy of the statement made available to The Indian Express, the hotel apologized the same day.
It said, “We sincerely apologies to the offended visitor and will keep taking the appropriate efforts to ensure this stays an isolated incidence. “Crown took swift action to address the problem. The parties involved were expelled from the Crown account and stepped down, and the original video was quickly taken down from social media.
The hotel management stated that an inquiry is being performed with the outside contractor and that they would take whatever further measures are required to guarantee that a similar situation does not occur again. In order to express our regrets, we are also engaging with the Indian Cricket Team and the International Cricket Council. We will keep collaborating with them as the inquiry moves forward, they said.
In a statement on the subject, the ICC expressed its “extreme disappointment” at Kohli’s “gross infringement of privacy.” To make sure that this is an isolated incident and that player privacy is always protected, we continue to engage with event hotels and security suppliers.
The trespassers panned the camera over Kohli’s shoes and other possessions in the room in the footage. Even while Kohli enjoys when fans are thrilled and anxious to see him, he did not enjoy this level of devotion, claiming he was worried about his privacy at the time.
He said, “Where can I truly expect any personal space at all if I can’t have privacy in my own hotel room?”
England Cricket Team Arrives In Pakistan After 17 Years
September 16, 2022 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
The cricket team from England arrived in Karachi on Thursday as part of their first trip to Pakistan in 17 years.
England last played in Pakistan in 2005, and they were scheduled to return last year before abruptly cancelling after New Zealand also postponed a tour owing to safety concerns.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which was outraged by the action, described it as “disrespectful.”
Pakistan was compelled to host England for series in 2012 and 2015 after an assault in 2009 on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. The UAE served as one such location.
International cricket has slowly made a comeback in Pakistan over the past five years, and earlier this year, Australia completed a successful tour for the first time in over 25 years.
The PCB expressed confidence that the England games will also go ahead without a hitch, noting that the Australia series had “demonstrated our event planning and operational expertise. “Roads between the England team accommodation and Karachi’s National stadium will be closed off and guarded by security personnel on game days. Their route will be monitored by a helicopter, and businesses that have stadium views will be required to close.
The government of Pakistan was engaged in conflict with insurgents the previous time England visited. Although the security situation has significantly improved since then, assaults have increased since since the Taliban retook control of the neighboring country of Afghanistan.
The journey takes place as Pakistan struggles to recover from devastating floods that has affected at least 33 million people and submerged roughly a third of the nation.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) stated last month that despite the humanitarian crisis, the team was “desperate” to play in Pakistan.
Rob Key, general director of men’s cricket, said: “I think ideally us going over there and playing will be a positive for what’s been a really horrific moment for the people of that nation.”
From September 20 to October 2, the 19-man England side, led by Jos Buttler, will compete against Pakistan in seven Twenty20 matches in Karachi and Lahore as preparation for the T20 World Cup in Australia that will take place the following month.
Three five-day Test matches will be played in England when they return in December.
