Latest news with #ICCFutureToursProgramme
Express Tribune
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak to make two changes for BD tour
The Pakistan team is expected to have two new additions for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series, which is likely to take place in July. According to reports, left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi and spinner Sufiyan Muqeem are likely to return to the national side. Shaheen last featured in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand in March this year, where his performance was below expectations — taking just two wickets in four matches at an economy rate of 10.23. Sufiyan, who also played in the same series, appeared in only one match but impressed with two wickets at a remarkable economy rate of just 3.00. Meanwhile, the door remains open for star batter Babar Azam regarding his inclusion in the national squad, as he has reportedly been assured of future opportunities. The preliminary schedule for Pakistan's T20I tour of Bangladesh has been finalised, with the team expected to arrive in Dhaka on July 18, sources confirmed on June 1. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has drafted the initial itinerary and shared it with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The T20I series will commence on July 20, followed by the second and third matches on July 22 and 24, respectively. All three matches are scheduled to be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka. This tour is not part of the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP). The series was arranged following discussions between senior officials of the PCB and BCB on the sidelines of the ICC Champions Trophy preparations, which Pakistan is set to host later this year. For context, Pakistan's white-ball team recently entered a new chapter under the leadership of Mike Hesson, the former New Zealand coach. The 50-year-old made an immediate impact, guiding the team to a 3-0 T20I series whitewash over Bangladesh - Pakistan's first home series victory since December 2021. Hesson holds in-depth discussion with Shaheen The second day of the national training camp in Lahore saw seven players participate in the Wednesday morning session, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abdullah Shafique, Mehran Mumtaz, Khurram Shehzad, Haider Ali, Khawaja Nafi, and Ahmad Daniyal. Additional training also took place during the afternoon session, under the supervision of head coach Mike Hesson and the coaching staff specialising in bowling, batting, and fielding. According to sources, fast bowler Shaheen Afridi did not participate in ground drills. Having returned from abroad after the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Afridi arrived in Lahore on Wednesday morning, specifically to meet head coach Mike Hesson. The two held an in-depth discussion regarding future plans for the team. In a social media post, Mike Hesson expressed his satisfaction with the session at the National Cricket Academy, calling it an important opportunity for both coaches and players to familiarize themselves with one another. He shared images from the training session, emphasising its significance in building rapport within the squad. Babar Azam had attended the opening day of the camp, while Mohammad Rizwan will join on the final day. The three-day camp, involving 22 of Pakistan's top white-ball cricketers, commenced at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground, as announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday. Players were divided into three groups, reporting to camp on June 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The first groupcomprising Babar Azam, Abbas Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Mirza, Shahid Aziz, and Usman Khantook part in various sessions on Tuesday under the guidance of the national team management, led by Hesson. According to sources, the PCB is using the camp to inform players about the team's future direction, while also assessing their fitness levels and recent performances. Furthermore, head coach Hesson is scheduled to meet with top-performing players individually to discuss the roadmap ahead for Pakistan's white-ball squad. Pakistan's white-ball team recently entered a new chapter under the leadership of Hesson, the former New Zealand coach. The 50-year-old made an immediate impact, guiding the team to a 3-0 T20I series whitewash against Bangladesh — Pakistan's first home series victory since December 2021. Following this series win, the team is expected to take a brief break before potentially returning to Bangladesh next month for another T20I series.
Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
BCCI considering to expand IPL season
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively exploring the possibility of expanding the Indian Premier League (IPL) to a 94-match season starting in 2028. However, there are currently no plans to add new franchises to the league, despite interest from investors. The IPL, which grew to its current 74-match format in 2022 with the inclusion of Gujarat Titans (GT) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), was initially expected to expand to 84 matches by 2025. However, due to a tight schedule and concerns from broadcasters over the number of double-headers, the expansion was postponed. The league's current window in the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) is fixed from mid-March to the end of May for the next two years. Speaking to a cricketing website, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal said that the BCCI will seriously consider switching to a full home-and-away 94-match format when the next media rights cycle begins in 2028. "Definitely, that might be an opportunity," Dhumal said. "We've been discussing in ICC, we've been discussing in-house in BCCI. Given how the interest of the fan is changing with regard to bilateral and ICC events, in regard to franchise cricket and T20 cricket, we'll have to talk more seriously about it and see how we can create maximum value for the stakeholders of the game," he added. "Ideally, we'd want a larger window, or to maybe go on from 74 to 84 or 94 at some point So that every team gets to play against every team home and away, for that, you need 94 games," he further added. "Given the window and the kind of commitments that we have with regards to bilateral cricket and ICC events, that may not be possible in the short term. But given the landscape, how it is changing and evolving over the years, maybe at some point in time we would look and take that option," he explained. "There's been so much cricket: we came back from Australia from a Test series, we had this Champions Trophy, and on top of that we have this IPL. That is why it was decided that it doesn't make sense from going from 74 to 84 [in 2025], but whenever we think that the time is opportune, we'll take that call," Dhumal further said. The length of the IPL season will be a key discussion point during next year's FTP negotiations. Some franchise officials have already expressed support for a 94-match season. However, the final decision is likely to depend on broadcaster interest, especially after the recent merger between Reliance and Disney to form JioStar in India. Broadcasters have previously raised concerns about viewer fatigue, as TV and streaming numbers tend to dip midway through the IPL season. The 2025 edition is scheduled to run for nine weeks with 12 double-headers. Expanding to 94 matches would likely require adding two more weeks to the tournament's window. Despite investor interest, the BCCI has no immediate plans to increase the number of teams. "Ten is a good number for now," Dhumal said. "Paramount is the interest in the tournament and the quality of cricket that we play I don't see any scope in the short term. Going forward, with how this whole landscape evolves, we'll take a call accordingly," he added. Dhumal described the 2025 IPL season as a success, praising the level of competition and the emergence of new Indian talent. He also expressed hope that a first-time champion could lift the trophy this year, with teams like Delhi Capitals (DC), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) all currently in playoff contention. "Every year, it's been growing," Dhumal said. "We are very glad how the fans have loved this tournament, and the broadcast numbers and in-stadia numbers are all phenomenal. We are hoping to carry on with this being a special edition, the 18th edition. We are very sure that it'll continue to grow in the way we've seen over the last 17 years," he further added. "Definitely, I would want somebody who has never won the tournament to lift the trophy this year. DC has done exceptionally well over the last few years, but they've not won. Punjab Kings made it to one final, and RCB, off and on, have done well. If some of these teams compete against each other in the final, we'll know for sure that we will have a new winner, then I'll be very happy for the tournament," he concluded.
Express Tribune
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pakistan to tour Bangladesh for white-ball series in July
The Pakistan men's cricket team will tour Bangladesh for a white-ball series in July outside the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), according to reports. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have finalised the arrangement, with schedule and venue details to be announced later. The development follows discussions between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and BCB President Faruque Ahmed during Ahmed's recent visit to Dubai amid the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy. Bangladesh is already scheduled to tour Pakistan in May for a three-match ODI and three-match T20I series under the FTP. BCB Cricket Operations Head Shahriar Nafees previously stated that both boards were in positive discussions regarding an additional white-ball series in July. Bangladesh's upcoming commitments include a two-Test series against Zimbabwe in April, a home series against Sri Lanka in June-July, and a series against India in August-September. The team will also compete in the Asia Cup in September before hosting the West Indies and Ireland later in the year.
