Sports

Lahore Qalandars will ‘defend PSL title under Shaheen’s leadership’

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars is hopeful of retaining the title under star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi’s leadership in the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) — scheduled to begin on February 13, 2023.

Lahore Qalandars Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sameen Rana, while speaking to Geo News, said that their captain is completely fit to play in PSL 8.

“Shaheen is bowling for the national team these days and is in rhythm.”

The pacer suffered a knee injury that during the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. He returned to the field during the T20 World Cup but sustained another injury during the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The pacer has not played since then.

The COO said that Lahore Qalandars is not under pressure as the team is a champion and because it has seen bad times in the past as well.

“We are the champions and we will try to defend the title. We want to become the first team to defend the PSL title,” he added.

Talking about the squad, Rana said that he is satisfied with the combination of the team. He said that he has tried to make the best team by keeping a balance in it. “Bowling is our strength and the batters are world-class.

Right-handed English batsman Samit Patel has been replaced by Liam Dawson while Mohammad Hafeez has been replaced by Sikandar Raza, he added.

Speaking about the newly-appointed Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi, Rana said that the PSL will achieve more success under his leadership.

“Najam Sethi launched the PSL under difficult circumstances and PSL needs an administrator like him,” he added.

‘Eager to make a comeback’

Last week, Shaheen said he is eyeing a comeback with next month’s PSL as he is set to return in full action with his rehabilitation in the final stages.

“I am feeling much stronger than what I felt during the World Cup. I’m bowling with full rhythm and eager to make a comeback very soon,” Shaheen told Geo News.

The young fast bowler has set his eyes on the PSL’s eighth season, as he will be leading Lahore Qalandars and aiming to defend the title.

“We are a very good side and I am confident that we’ll produce better results than before. I am very happy with the team, as we have overcome where we lacked last year and I believe that Qalandars are stronger this time,” the cricketer said.

“The PSL is the biggest brand for Pakistan and I am looking forward to making my full comeback during that tournament,” the fast bowler said.

Latest News

Sumair Ahmad is named the 2025 Champions Trophy Director by PCB.

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi commented on the appointment, saying, “Sumair is a highly organized professional with a wealth of administrative expertise.” He will undoubtedly give players, officials, and fans alike an amazing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, especially when combined with his unshakable love for cricket.

He continued, “The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to showcase Pakistan’s ability to host world-class cricketing events, welcoming players and fans from around the globe to experience the country’s renowned hospitality and passion for the game.”

The BCCI informed the ICC earlier this month that it will not be sending a side to the event, which is set for 2025 in Pakistan during the February–March season.

After the PCB asked for clarity in its letter regarding the BCCI’s unwillingness to tour Pakistan, the ICC requested India’s justifications for not inviting Pakistan to compete for the Champions Trophy.

The broadcasters, meanwhile, reportedly pushed the ICC to make the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule available right away.

Due to the Indian government’s refusal to send a delegation to Pakistan for the event, the schedule that was supposed to be issued on November 12 was postponed.

The broadcasting rights, which were given to broadcasters for a record $3 billion until 2027, are heavily dependent on the success of the main events, especially those involving India and Pakistan, which regularly attract the largest audiences.

Latest News

India withdraws from the World Cup of Blind T20 Cricket in Pakistan

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

Adding to the issue surrounding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Indian government refused to allow their squad to travel to Pakistan for the Blind Cricket T20 World Cup, which is set to start in Lahore on November 23.

According to Indian media, India, the reigning champion, would not go to Pakistan to play in the Blind T20 World Cup 2024 since the government has not given its approval.

Lahore and Multan are set to host the Blind T20 World Cup 2024 from November 23 to December 3.

The general secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association (IBCA), Sailendra Yadav, recently discussed the upsetting news about the blind cricket team’s upcoming trip to Pakistan in an interview with India Today.

The team was given a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Sports Ministry, but the Ministry of External Affairs finally refused to allow them to enter the border, Yadav revealed.

Yadav stated, “We have been waiting for the government to give us permission to travel to Pakistan for the past 25 days.”

“We will not be receiving any authorization to travel to Pakistan, and we can cancel your tournament,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed us over the phone.

Latest News

Aaqib Javed designated as interim head coach for white-ball formats of Pakistan

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the hiring of former fast bowler Aaqib Javed as the interim head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team till the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Throughout this period, Aaqib will maintain his role as a senior member of the men’s National Selection Committee and will be allocated more responsibilities upon the completion of the eight-team tournament.

The PCB will commence the recruitment process for a permanent white-ball head coach, with the objective of finalising the appointment before the conclusion of the ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to take place from 19 February to 9 March.

The white-ball coaching position became available with Gary Kirsten’s departure last month, prior to the current tour of Australia.

In Kirsten’s absence, red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie led the team during the tour of Australia and will now return for the forthcoming two-Test series in South Africa.

The Pakistan men’s team is set to compete in three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe from November 24 to December 5, followed by an equal number of white-ball matches in South Africa from December 10 to 22.

Prior to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan will host New Zealand and South Africa for an ODI triangular series from February 8 to 14.

Aaqib Javed had considerable coaching expertise, having formerly held the position of Pakistan’s bowling coach during their triumphant ICC T20 World Cup campaign in 2009. Earlier this year, he served as the bowling coach for the Sri Lanka men’s squad.

Before that, he managed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in achieving ODI status and qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2015 in Australia during his term as head coach.

Additionally, the right-arm fast bowler served as the coach of Pakistan’s Under-19 squad during their victory in the U19 World Cup in 2004.