Day: November 18, 2021

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Ramiz Raja, has hinted at resumption of cricketing ties between arch-rivals Pakistan and India. The two nations have not played a bilateral series against each other since Pakistan’s tour of India in 2012-13 although they have met in major ICC events during this period.

In the recent past, cricket boards from both the countries have downplayed the possibility of resuming cricketing ties, with the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) clearly stating numerous times that the decision is out of their hands and depends on their government.

Ramiz has now shared some positive news on the front and hinted that both the countries might look forward to play against each other outside of ICC events. Ramiz said while a bilateral series might be difficult to play due to the tensions between the two countries but there might be a possibility that the two countries play a tri-series along with one other nation.

“Bilateral series between Pakistan and India seems unlikely at this moment but we can hope to see both teams in action in a tri-nation series perhaps,” Ramiz stated.

The 59-year old also shed light on speculation that India might pull-out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy set to be played in Pakistan. Ramiz said that it will be difficult for India to pull-out of such a major event as everything including relationship between the two countries is assessed before giving a country the hosting rights for a mega event.

Ramiz said that he has a good working relationship with his Indian counter-part, Saurav Ganguly, and they are working towards resolving cricketing matters involving both the countries.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Australian batting great, Matthew Hayden, who has returned to his country after completing his stint as a batting consultant with the Pakistan cricket team in the T20 World Cup, has sent his heartiest wishes for the team.

Hayden wrote a heartfelt note on Twitter in Urdu.

“Assalam o alaikum Pakistan! I am serving the mandatory quarantine in Brisbane at the moment but my heart is beating for all the players and support staff of the Pakistan cricket team in Dhaka,” the legend wrote on Twitter.

“I wish the team all the best of luck. Come on champs, you can do it. Pakistan Zindabad,” he concluded.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had appointed Saqlain Mushtaq, Matthew Hayden, and Vernon Philander as head coach, batting, and bowling consultants, respectively, for the T20 World Cup 2021.

Hayden excused himself from extending the contract for the back-to-back series against Bangladesh and West Indies, whereas Saqlain and Philander agreed. The two are currently in Dhaka with the Pakistan cricket team.

The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will commence on Friday, 19 November, in Dhaka. This will be followed by a two-match Test series, the first of which will be played in Chittagong (26-30 November) and the second Test in Dhaka (4-8 December).

Source: Pro Pakistani

The 2022 Under-19 T20 World Cup is set to commence from 14 January in the Caribbean. The tournament will feature 16 teams which include the likes of Pakistan, India, Australia, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and other top cricketing nations. New Zealand were initially a part of the tournament decided to pull out due to the quarantine restrictions and have been replaced by Scotland.

The two-week tournament will feature young and upcoming stars from all over the world as they look to make their mark in the international arena and continue their journey to top-level cricket.

Sixteen teams have been divided into four groups containing four teams each. The top team from each group will qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament and the winner of each semi-final will go head to head in the final which is scheduled to be played on 5 February at Sir Vivian Richards Ground in Antigua and Barbuda.

Pakistan have been placed in Group C alongside Papua New Guinea, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe. Their first match of the tournament will be played against Papua New Guinea on 15 January. They will play their second match against Afghanistan on 20 January and their final group match will be against Zimbabwe on 22 January. All three of Pakistan’s matches in the group stages will be played in two of the three grounds in Trinidad and Tobago.

Source: Pro Pakistani