Day: April 8, 2024

Pakistan Army has organized ‘Leepa Khay Ley Ga’ in Leepa Valley of Azad Kashmir in which various sports competitions are being held.

Its aim is to attract the youth towards sports and explore the talent of the valley.

During the event, cricket, volleyball, football, badminton, table tennis and various sports competitions are being held.

These competitions will continue till Wednesday.

Source: Radio Pakistan

The International Cricket Council announced the ICC Player of the Month.

Sri Lankan batsman Kamindu Mendes has been named the ICC Player of the Month, based on his performances for March. Ireland’s Mark Adair and New Zealand’s Matt Henry were also nominated for the award.

On the other hand, among the women players, England’s batsman Maya Bouchier has been declared the ICC Women’s Player of the Month. Australia’s Ash Gardner and New Zealand’s Emilia Kerr were also nominated.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Former South African batter Gary Kirsten and Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie have been finalized as head coaches of the national team’s white-ball and red-ball sides, respectively.

As per details, Kirsten is going to take over the coaching responsibilities of the white-ball team, which includes the ODI and T20I sides. Gillespie, the former Australian fast bowler, is expected to take over the responsibility of coaching the Test team.

The board has locked their services for the national team in important coaching roles and both the foreign coaches are expected to join the national team after the New Zealand series in April.

Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq will take charge at the helm as interim coaches for the five-match T20I home series against New Zealand while further assistant coaches will also be integrated into the coaching staff.

The ideal candidate for the assistant coaching role should have a minimum experience of three years in the field with a Level II coaching badge.

For the last three
months, the PCB has been in the search for the head coaching role which previously resulted in failed negotiations with Shane Watson and Darren Sammy.

With the finalization of the coaches, PCB is set to announce the squad for the series against the Kiwis which has faced delays due to the requirement for fitness reports of players in the Kakul training camp.

Both Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie are World Cup winners having vast experience in both international and franchise cricket.

Source: Pro Pakistani

PCB supremo Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that Usman Khan’s selection in the Pakistan squad is highly likely and the player will be considered for the national team after his stellar performances in PSL 9.

In a recent press briefing in Lahore, the PCB Chairman stated, ‘Usman Khan is eligible for Pakistan and he will play for the national side.’

Usman Khan, a Karachi-born Emirati player, was recently banned by the Emirates cricket board over breach of contract, following his abrupt decision to play for Pakistan when the news came out that the player had been selected for the training camp in Kakul before the New Zealand series.

The 28-year-old had previously shown keen interest in playing international cricket for the U.A.E but following his performances in the PSL 9 campaign, where he accumulated 430 runs in 7 innings including two mesmerizing centuries, the cricket board called him up for the training camp in Kakul.

Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the Pakistan squad for the series against New Zealand will be a
nnounced on April 9 while the appointment of the foreign coaches will be formally announced by the PCB on April 15.

Speaking on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the PCB chief said that all matches will be hosted in Pakistan and the country will also host South Africa and New Zealand in a tri-nation series after a gap of 20 years.

However, the PCB chief said that India’s participation in the mega-event is still a doubt maintaining that he cannot comment on that matter before time.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Former Test cricketer, Azhar Mahmood, has been appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team for the T20I series against New Zealand which commences on April 18.

Azhar has previously served as the bowling coach of the Pakistan team, as well as winning the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 crown with Islamabad United.

Former fast bowler and current member of national selection committee, Wahab Riaz, will act as the senior team manager, while Mansoor Rana will be the team manager. Test match legend, Mohammad Yousuf, will serve as the batting coach, while Saeed Ajmal will be the spin bowling coach.

Announcement of the Pakistan cricket team for the series against New Zealand will be made on Tuesday, 9 April in Lahore. The five-match series will be played from April 18 to 27 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

New Zealand cricket team is expected to arrive in Pakistan on April 14 with their depleted squad recently getting announced.

Pakistan Cricket Board changed the national team’s white-ball captain from Shah
een Shah Afridi to Babar Azam ahead of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.

Babar was removed as the all-format captain after the team failed to qualify for the Semi-Final of the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup in India.

Shaheen’s tenure lasted for one series, as Pakistan got thrashed against New Zealand in their home, 4-1, in a five-match T20I series.

Source: Pro Pakistani