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.
According to PCB, The Indian Government Issues Pakistani Team Visas For The World Cup
September 26, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
The Pakistani team’s visas were finally granted by the Indian government on Monday, allowing them to go for the neighboring nation for the World Cup after several delays, Pakistan Cricket Board spokesperson Umar Farooq Kalson revealed
Finally got a call to pick up the passports from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, he added.
The squad will depart from Lahore for Dubai on September 27 before travelling to Hyderabad, India, for two exhibition games against New Zealand and Australia on September 29 and October 3, respectively.
After the PCB complained to the International Cricket Council (ICC) about “extraordinary delays” in the issue of Indian visas, today’s development took place a short while later.
Farooq stated, “We have written to the ICC highlighting our concerns over the unfair treatment of Pakistan and reminded them of these commitments towards the World Cup.
“It’s disappointing that the Pakistani team has to deal with uncertainty before the important competition.”
It had all come down to the final two days with the national team’s first warm-up game planned for September 29. Farooq said the board had been reminding the ICC of duties for the previous three years, but it had all come down to the last two days.
“We had to abandon our initial plan to do team-building activities in Dubai while travelling to India. We have to alter our itinerary and make new reservations, but all arrangements are contingent on the issue of visas, the representative continued.
ESPNcricinfo reports that the visa application was submitted more than a week ago.
The team’s pre-World Cup team-building activity in Dubai had been postponed due to visa issues.
Earlier, the group was supposed to fly out to Dubai on September 25 and spend two days there. On October 6, Pakistan will face the Netherlands in their inaugural game.
In order to attend the competition, fans and media had to apply for visas online through the website of the Indian High Commission.
The applicants were disappointed to see that the webpage was still unavailable. A journalist from Lahore who covers sports stated he and his colleagues sports reporters had to pay agents to fill out the online applications for them in order to avoid potential visa issues.
Visa applicants said they had been instructed to use a VPN in order to access the high commission’s website due to problems with accessibility.
Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the country’s national cricket regulatory body, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) all complained that even media members accredited with them were having problems.
If the problem remained, the group urged the Indian High Commission to accept handwritten visa applications. The message also said that because there wasn’t much time left until the huge event started, the media should be assisted.
For The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, The Pakistan Cricket Board Has Unveiled The Star Nation Jersey
August 28, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
At a lavish event held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today, the Pakistan Cricket Board introduced the Star Nation Jersey.
The PCB Management Committee Chairman, Mr. Zaka Ashraf, presided over the event, which represented an important development in the national team’s preparations for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
The Star Nation Jersey is more than just a simple article of clothing; it captures the deep bond between Pakistan’s cricketing greats and their devoted fans.
Each star, which takes its cue from celestial planets, stands for brilliance, desire, and the brilliant light of cricketing accomplishments. This design strategy, which captures the essence of the game’s quality, resonates well with Pakistani cricket fans.
The Star Nation Jersey exemplifies the unbreakable link between our cricketers and the devoted supporters that support them during every match. This jersey captures both our illustrious cricketing past and the bright future that lies ahead.
“The Star Nation Jersey is more than simply a uniform; it’s a work of art filled with tales of struggles and victories.
The steadfast support of our supporters and the illustrious heritage of our cricketing legends are symbolized by each star on this shirt. To make sure that wearing this jersey would inspire genuine pride in every Pakistani, every aspect has been painstakingly designed.
The Star Nation Jersey is currently available for pre-order on shop.pcb.com.pk, the PCB’s official online store.
Fans may express their support for the cricketing heroes and come together as a single force as Pakistan begins its quest for victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 by wearing this jersey with pride.
ICC And PCB Agree For Changing 2023 World Cup Schedule
August 2, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
In an important milestone, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approved the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) suggestions for changes to the World Cup 2023 program.
The dates have changed, but the locations of the selected matches have not altered. The amended tournament schedule will soon be made public by the ICC.
2023 ICC Mens World Cup Teams
the change in the schedule that was required by factors not related to cricket. According to reports in the Indian media, suggestions to modify the schedule were sent to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
This action was motivated by the fact that an important Pakistan vs. India game coincided with Gujarat’s celebrated Navratri holiday. This choice demonstrates the organizers’ dedication to honoring and accommodating cultural customs.
A spectacular round-robin format including 45 riveting matches will be used for the next Cricket World Cup to feature a fascinating competition amongst ten elite teams.
The best four performing teams will guarantee their spots in the semi-finals, raising the stakes significantly. The locations of these much awaited semifinal matches are Kolkata and Mumbai, two major cricketing cities.
The New World Cup Schedule May Be Seen Here:
Date
Opponent
Venue
October 6
vs Netherlands
Hyderabad
October 10
vs Sri Lanka
Hyderabad
October 14
vs India
Ahmedabad
October 20
vs Australia
Bengaluru
October 23
vs Afghanistan
Chennai
October 27
vs South Africa
Chennai
October 31
vs Bangladesh
Kolkata
November 4
vs New Zealand
Bengaluru (Day)
November 12
vs England
Kolkata
To assure Pakistan’s enthusiastic participation in the World Cup being hosted by India, a crucial measure has been made.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called together a renowned panel to discuss this important issue. This discussion will take place in an important gathering that will be presided over by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
The Prime Minister will then receive the complete recommendations of the group. The Prime Minister has the last say on whether Pakistan will compete in this renowned tournament, which heightens the intrigue surrounding this cricketing tale.
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.
ECB Has Confirmed That Eoin Morgan Is Leaving International Cricket
June 29, 2022 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
The limited-overs captain of England for men, Eoin Morgan, has announced his departure from international cricket. In all white-ball forms, he leaves as England’s highest run scorer, player with the most appearances, and the only one to have guided the country to an ODI World Cup victory.
Eoin Morgan Achievements
225 ODI appearances yielded a record-breaking 6,957 runs, including 13 hundreds, at an average of 39.75.
The best victory record by any England Men’s ODI Captain in the history of the game was achieved by Morgan, who supervised 76 triumphs in 126 games while serving as captain, with a win percentage of 60%.
He shared the record for most Men’s T20 International team captains with MS Dhoni of India with 72 appearances.
Morgan played 115 times for England and scored 2,458 runs.
He received 16 Test cricket caps over a three-year span, earning two centuries.
In addition, he now holds the record for the most sixes in an ODI innings with 17, which he hit against Afghanistan at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
He was awarded a CBE in 2020 for his contributions to cricket.
Morgan, who began his international career with Ireland and participated in 23 One-Day Internationals there from 2006 to 2009, commented on the situation, saying: “After great thought and consideration, I am here to announce my retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.
“It hasn’t been a simple choice to end what has without a doubt been the most joyful and fulfilling chapter of my career, but I think the time is right to do so, both for me personally and for both England white-ball teams I have led up until this point.”
In the meanwhile, England Men’s Cricket Managing Director Rob Key issued the following statement: “I’d want to congratulate Eoin Morgan for his great commitment to the game on behalf of the ECB and everyone involved in cricket.
It would be incorrect to believe that Eoin’s legacy was limited to his team’s World Cup victory in 2019; it was much more than that.
The official continued by saying that, like all great players and leaders, he has altered the way this particular game has been played as well as how future generations will play it.
“For many years to come, his impact on the game will be felt. Without a doubt, he is the finest leader I have ever observed. I hope he has a successful future in his career “Added he.
Regarding his accomplishments, the great player acknowledged that he had the good fortune to be a part of two World Cup-winning squads, but added that he thought England’s white-ball teams’ future was “brighter than ever.”
“We have greater strength, depth, and experience than ever before. I am quite excited to observe and look forward to it.
“I will continue to enjoy playing at a domestic level while I can, regardless of what lies ahead for me. I’m excited to participate in and serve as captain of London Spirit in this year’s second The Hundred.
Pakistan Is Considering Playing In A Tri-Series Against New Zealand Ahead Of The T20 World Cup
May 19, 2022 / By Zunair Tahir / Sport News
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has formally contacted the PCB for the series, which is expected to take place in the first week of October, with the World Cup starting in the middle of the month. “The PCB has been asked to play in a tri-series in New Zealand ahead of the T20 World Cup,” said the NZC. “We are currently examining the invitation and will contact the NZC after a consultation period.”
While Bangladesh, which was also invited by the NZC, has confirmed their participation in the series, Pakistan’s congested September schedule has prevented the PCB from making a quick decision.
Pakistan will compete in the T20 Asia Cup from September 1 to 17, followed by a seven-match T20 series against England, the dates of which have yet to be determined.
Another issue that the PCB is considering is games that are scheduled outside of the pre-determined Future Tours Program. According to reports, the ultimate decision will be taken by the Pakistan team management, lead by Saqlain Mushtaq, and would take into account the players’ workload.
New Zealand’s cricketing ties with Pakistan were harmed when the latter abruptly cancelled their visit to the nation hours before the opening match, citing security concerns.
Dawn has learned that NZC reimbursed the PCB financially for their losses following the Kiwis’ departure. According to insiders, it paid a “significant” sum to cover the PCB’s expenses for the guests’ lodging, security, and venue arrangements. The PCB reacted angrily to New Zealand’s surprise withdrawal from the tour, with chairman Ramiz Raja criticizing the move.
New Zealand vowed to return to Pakistan in December-January for a three-match One-day International series and two Test matches, as well as five one-dyers and as many T20s in April 2023.
