Another tri-series on cards involving Pakistan
Listen to article
It looks like Pakistan are set to be involved in another tri-series next year with Australia and potentially Bangladesh, scheduled for February 2026.
The series is likely to be played ahead of the T20 World Cup, a source within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed.
Cricket Australia has a longstanding tradition of touring the subcontinent ahead of major ICC events to acclimatise properly. In 2021, Australia toured Bangladesh for a five-match T20I series and, similarly, played a Test and ODI series in Sri Lanka to prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.
With India and Sri Lanka scheduled to host the mega event in February–March, Australia are set to play three T20Is against Pakistan. However, discussions are underway to convert the bilateral series into a tri-nation competition.
Read More: Bangladesh take second T20I for first series win over Pakistan
A BCB official confirmed that, at this stage, no formal proposal has been tabled by the Pakistan Cricket Board, but informal conversations have taken place on the sidelines of the ongoing Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Dhaka.
According to local media, the PCB is eager to include Bangladesh in the series following improved bilateral relations between the two boards.
It is expected that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will formally discuss the tri-nation proposal with BCB counterpart Aminul Islam Bulbul on the sidelines of the ACC meeting. Naqvi, who is also the ACC President, is currently in Dhaka for the ACC Annual General Meeting scheduled for July 24–25.
If finalised, the series would feature seven matches, with each team playing the other two sides twice, followed by a final between the top two.
Meanwhile, a similar initiative is in motion involving Pakistan's scheduled T20I series against Afghanistan. On July 5, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) Chairman Mirwais Ashraf confirmed that talks are underway to transform the series into a tri-nation tournament, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the third team and host.
Also Read: Faheem slams Mirpur pitch
The ACB chief further stated that the proposed tri-nation series will serve as a vital opportunity for their men's cricket team to prepare for the ACC Men's Asia Cup, scheduled for later this year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Thrilling Women's Copa America final can't hide challenges ahead
The Women's Copa America in Ecuador ended with a thrilling final as Brazil edged Colombia in an eight-goal spectacle to win their ninth title but logistical challenges and half-empty stadiums showed the hurdles that face South American women's football. Colombia pushed Brazil to the brink in a decider capped by a Marta masterclass as her side won 5-4 in a shootout after a roller-coaster final in Quito had finished 4-4, delivering a level of play organisers hoped to see when the tournament began. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez said ahead of the opener: 'We are confident that the Copa America in Ecuador will confirm the growth and expansion that South American women's football is currently experiencing.' However, the event faced criticism over facilities from the start when Brazil complained after teams were forced to warm up in cramped indoor spaces, while Chile forward Yanara Aedo called the lack of VAR in the early rounds 'disrespectful'. High interest, low turnout Widely praised as the best final in the tournament's history, the match drew the highest attendance of the 2025 edition, with the Ecuadorian Football Federation pleased that 23,798 fans turned out at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado. Still, that number fell short of filling the 41,575-seat venue, with ESPN reporting that the tournament's average attendance stood at 962 per match before the final. Media reports also said locals and international visitors were unaware the Women's Copa America was even taking place. Following Colombia's penalty shootout win over Argentina in the semi-final at the same venue, responses gathered by CNN pointed not to a lack of interest or ticket accessibility - with prices starting at $5 - but a broader failure in promotion. Tickets only went on sale on July 4, eight days before the opening match, underlining how late planning hurt visibility. 'It's a shame that the tournament has been played here in Ecuador and we don't know about it and the stadiums are empty,' a local mother who attended the match with her son told CNN. Reuters has contacted CONMEBOL for comment. The gap between on-field quality and local engagement was also highlighted by the increase in international viewers. FOX Sports said on Tuesday that 302,000 tuned in to watch the final — up 273% from 2022 — making it their most-watched Women's Copa America broadcast. Overall viewership averaged 79,000, a 114% jump across the network's two channels. Looking ahead The first CONMEBOL Women's Nations League kicks off in October, serving as South America's path to the 2027 World Cup, but beyond qualification, the tournament offers a fresh chance to address the off-field issues at the Women's Copa America. With players already performing at a world-class level, CONMEBOL has the audience and the talent to showcase. The question is will South America's governing body invest in promotion, infrastructure and planning to match Europe's record-breaking Women's Euros, which had their highest-ever attendances this year, while its own stadiums were half empty.
Express Tribune
14 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PCB grants central contracts and salary boost to women cricketers
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced new central contracts for the national women cricketers, which include a significant salary increase across all categories. In a move to promote and support the women's game, the PCB has raised the players' retainers by 50 percent. A total of 20 players were announced to have been awarded contracts, divided into five categories, with notable inclusions and promotions across the board. Sadia Iqbal, the ICC T20I's top-ranked bowler, has been placed in Category A, alongside Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, and Sidra Amin. Category B includes Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, and Nashra Sandhu, while Rameen Shamim is the only player in Category C. 🚨 Pakistan women's central contracts for the 2025-26 season announced A total of 20 players have been awarded enhanced contracts for the new cycle 📝 Read more: — Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 6, 2025 Ten players, including Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, and Omaima Sohail, are in Category D, while Category E comprises Eyman Fatima and Shawaal Zulfiqar. Among the 20 contracted players, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz, Waheeda Akhtar, Eyman Fatima, and Shawaal Zulfiqar are new inclusions. These players will be under contract from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The announcement comes ahead of a busy year for the Pakistan women's team, who will participate in two major ICC events - the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup (September-October 2025) and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup (June 2026). The women's team will also play several bilateral series at home and abroad. Notable promotions include Diana Baig, who has moved from Category C to B, and Rameen Shamim, who has been promoted from Category D to C. The final list of players was approved by the women's selection committee in consultation with head coach Mohammad Wasim. The PCB's move to increase the salary structure reflects their continued commitment to supporting and developing women's cricket in Pakistan, ensuring the players are well-equipped for the challenges ahead.
Express Tribune
21 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Babar likely to make T20I comeback
Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam is being considered for a return to the national squad ahead of the upcoming tri-series and Asia Cup 2025, as doubts grow over Fakhar Zaman's fitness. Fakhar sustained hamstring injury during the T20I series against the West Indies. Due to the injury, he has already been ruled out of both the T20I and ODI series against the Caribbean side. Following the injury, the PCB has already directed Fakhar to report immediately to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, where he will undergo rehabilitation. Fakhar's availability for the Asia Cup remains uncertain. Reports suggest that the board is closely monitoring his injury and the rehab phase, but also preparing contingency plans. According to reports, if Fakhar does not regain full fitness in time, Babar is a strong contender likely to be brought back into the squad. However, Babar's return to the Pakistan team for the Asia Cup is contingent on his performance in the ODI series against the West Indies. If he managed to impress the selectors with his performance, it could pave the way for his comeback to the national team. Notably, Babar recently met with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi alongside Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah during the sideline of the second T20I against West Indies. The final squad for the Asia Cup is expected to be announced second week of August. The Asia Cup 2025 will begin with a Group B fixture between Afghanistan and Hong Kong on September 9. A total of eight teams, divided into two groups, will vie for the prestigious title. Fierce rivals Pakistan and India are placed in Group A, alongside UAE and Oman, while Group B features Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. Pakistan will open their campaign against Oman on September 12, followed by the blockbuster match against India on September 14. Their final group-stage game is scheduled for September 17 against the UAE. ODI squad arrives in WI Pakistan's ODI squad on Tuesday reached the West Indies from Florida ahead of their three-match series against the hosts. The players will take a day off before resuming practice on Wednesday. According to team management, the training session will begin at 5 PM local time at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The series between Pakistan and the West Indies is set to commence on August 8, with all three matches scheduled at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The remaining fixtures will be played on August 10 and August 12. The Green Shirts sealed the T20I series against West Indies by securing an enthralling 13-run victory in the third and final fixture. Batting first, the visitors accumulated a formidable total of 189/4 in their 20 overs, courtesy of openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub. Farhan top-scored for Pakistan with a 53-ball 74, while Ayub made 66 from 49 deliveries. The duo also shared a 138-run opening partnership. In response, the hosts could amass 176/6 despite half-centuries from Alick Athanaze and Sherfane Rutherford. For Pakistan, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz, Ayub and Sufiyan Muqeem picked up one wicket apiece. Pakistan ODI Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Muqeem.
