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Int'l Cricket Council
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Boon ends ‘Match Referee' innings with plenty to cherish
David Boon's involvement with competitive cricket began as a teenager in the 1978/79 season when he made his playing debut for Tasmania. It didn't take long for Boon to make his mark in international cricket, where he went on to have a successful career spanning 12 years, scoring 13,386 runs and 26 centuries for Australia. He signed off from first-class cricket in 1999 and then took over an administrative role with the Tasmanian Cricket Association in the same year. In 2000, he joined the Australian national team selection panel, where over the next 11 years he oversaw a successful period for the men's side, during which they won two ICC Men's Cricket World Cups and two ICC Champions Trophy events. WATCH: David Boon reflects on an iconic career as ICC Match Referee David Boon reflects on an iconic career as ICC Match Referee A massive presence in the background of cricket's grandest stages, David Boon looks back on his journey as ICC match referee with pride. In 2011, Boon furthered his association with the game by becoming a match referee, a role in which he thrived, featuring in 388 international games and eventually becoming a part of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. Speaking ahead of his 389th and final match as match referee where he oversaw the Test match in Chattogram between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, Boon shared warm appreciation for the support he had received during the role. 'A big thank you to world cricket, to the ICC, to everyone who has been involved in this - to all my friends and to my family. Everybody, thank you. It has been a fantastic 14 years," Boon said. When reflecting on what satisfied him most about the role, Boon admitted it was a great way to remain involved in the sport at its highest level and being able to have some influence. '(I enjoyed) being in a role that helps the nations, the teams, and the venues to run the game in its best form and make sure it's presented to the world in its best form,' he said. 'And on another note, to help the umpires be at their best in the middle of the park as well.' David Boon of ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium during the Men's T20 World Cup 2024 // Getty Images ICC Chair Jay Shah paid tribute to Boon, who will now take up a position on Cricket Australia's Board. 'On behalf of the International Cricket Council, I extend my gratitude to David Boon for his outstanding service as an ICC match referee,' Shah said. 'Over the years, he has combined his unparalleled experience as a world-class player with a remarkable level of patience and keen attention to detail.' 'Officiating international cricket poses many challenges, yet David's fair-minded judgments and thoughtful insights consistently earned the respect of players, support staff, and colleagues alike. His professionalism and integrity have set a benchmark for match officials across the sport. 'As he embarks on his new role with the Cricket Australia Board, I am confident that David will bring the same dedication and leadership that have defined his career. We wish him every success in this next chapter, and we know that Australian cricket will benefit greatly from his expertise and vision.' Boon oversees the toss proceedings during the Australia-New Zealand ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2014 match in Sylhet, Bangladesh // Getty Images Boon said he had many fond memories from his years as a cricket official, but still had some thoughts on areas of opportunity. 'I'm not sure about the over rates, whether we've got that right. Pace of play can be an issue," Boon said. 'And I'd hope from an administrative point of view we have a massive umbrella over cricket, and every nation looks at themselves as being under that umbrella form rather than their own little pieces of turf.' Having already spent almost five decades travelling the globe with the game, Boon admitted it was hard to describe his feelings as this chapter of his career ends. 'I think surreal is the best way to describe it,' he said. 'But I've been travelling the world for cricket in various roles as a player, an administrator, and a selector since I was 16 so it's time to go home.' News David Boon 12/29/1960
Arab News
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Pakistan crash out of Champions Trophy after New Zealand beat Bangladesh
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan were crashed out of the Champions Trophy after New Zealand defeated Bangladesh in their group stage encounter in Rawalpindi on Monday. Bangladesh's middle order capitulated against the off-spin of Michael Bracewell, who took 4-26 in 10 overs. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 77 to lead Bangladesh to 236-9. Rachin Ravindra, who took a blow on the forehead in a game 16 days ago and missed the last three one-day internationals, recovered to strike 112 off 105 balls and carry New Zealand to 240-5 in 46.1 overs. The victory eliminated tournament hosts and defending champions, Pakistan, and Bangladesh from contention, while it also advanced India to the semifinals. Pakistan have been under fire since losing their group-stage match to India on Sunday. 'I don't say this lightly. I didn't see an effort [by Pakistan]. I didn't see the, you know, the wanting to be out there and putting themselves in the fire line, you know, I didn't see that,' former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq said in an Arab News-hosted Instagram live after Sunday's match. 'And it's been too long now, you know, it's been, it's been far too long.' Both New Zealand and India have two wins from two matches and will now meet in Dubai on Sunday to decide team one and two from the group. Pakistan, who won the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017, lost their opening match to New Zealand in the first International Cricket Council (ICC) event they are hosting since the 1996 ODI World Cup. Pakistan were also knocked out in the group stage at the last two ICC Men's Cricket World Cups and suffered the same fate at last year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup after losing to co-hosts USA. Angry and dejected Pakistan fans have also demanded the country's cricket stars be held accountable for the national squad's lackluster performance in the tournament, which led to a crushing defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals. 'We're always praying for Pakistan's success, but prayers alone aren't enough,' Iqra Tahir, a cricket fan in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, told Reuters. 'We need to focus on improving our performance. It's time for us to take responsibility and work on our game.'
Arab News
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Didn't see Pakistan making any effort against India in crucial Champions Trophy match, Azeem Rafiq says
ISLAMABAD: Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq has said that he did not see Pakistan making any effort against India in their crucial Champions Trophy match in Dubai on Sunday. India secured a six-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan and pushed the title-holders to the brink of elimination from the tournament, with Virat Kohli hitting an unbeaten 100 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan have lost both their matches and will need Bangladesh to beat New Zealand on Monday to have any chance of staying in contention for a spot among last four teams in the tournament. Pakistan-born Rafiq, who went public with allegations of racism and bullying against Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 2020, said Pakistan had long been disappointing fans with their dismal performances, particularly in significant matches. 'I don't say this lightly. I didn't see an effort [by Pakistan]. I didn't see the, you know, the wanting to be out there and putting themselves in the fire line, you know, I didn't see that,' he said in Arab News-hosted Instagram live after Sunday's match. 'And it's been too long now, you know, it's been, it's been far too long.' Pakistan chased down a record 353 against South Africa this month in a tri-nation tournament at home but crashed in the final to 242 all out in a defeat to New Zealand. Pakistan hammered India in the final of the previous Champions Trophy in 2017. That was India's last defeat to Pakistan in a one-day international (ODI) match and Rohit Sharma's men have since won five of the last six games against their greatest rivals, with one rained off. Pakistan have been knocked out in the group stage at the last two ICC Men's Cricket World Cups and suffered the same fate at last year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup after losing to co-hosts USA. Rafiq said the consistent poor performances had been embarrassing for Pakistani cricket fans, and someone needs to take responsibility to fix things. 'You know, you can't keep expecting your fans to just forget what's going on. That was embarrassing, and I don't think there's any other words for it,' he said. 'I think the coaching staff, I don't even know who is the selector [of Pakistani team] because there's been so many. Someone, somewhere needs to really fix up.' He pointed out that Dubai stadium was not filled to its 25000-seat capacity despite the India-Pakistan contest, which was not a good omen for the world cricket. 'I think that today should be a warning [to] not just Pakistan cricket, but to world cricket, you know, that ground [Dubai stadium] was not full. Honestly, that ground was not full. And, and at different times people were, it was pretty empty. But Pakistani fans were hardly there,' he said. 'This is you take advantage of this game, which is what world cricket does and expects that this is going to commercialize always. Be very, very careful... there were people that didn't want to go and watch [the match].'
Times of Oman
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
"For me, it was a new journey...": Babar Azam recalls CT 2017 triumph against India ahead of NZ clash
Karachi: Ahead of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand on Wednesday, Pakistan batter Babar Azam recalled his favourite memories from the Champions Trophy 2017 final, where his team came up better against the arch-rivals India at The Oval, lifting the trophy for the first time. The 2017 competition helped Babar announce himself on the international scene. In the final, the right-hand batter played 46 from 52 balls against Men in Blue which helped Pakistan to a 180-run win which remained etched in the national cricketing consciousness. "As a player, I am very excited, and all the fans are excited," Babar said, as quoted by an ICC media release. Babar also acknowledged the crucial roles played by centurion Fakhar Zaman and the fiery spells by Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali that sealed the game for Pakistan. "My primary memories of the 2017 final are Fakhar Zaman's innings (of 114), the spell of Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali's spell and the winning moment. For me, it was a new journey as I was a young player. Playing against India, that excitement and the nervousness was there but when we won, we enjoyed and celebrated," Babar said. "A lot has changed since the Champions Trophy was held in 2017. We have new players coming, we only have three or four players who were part of that winning team. But the belief, confidence and execution are the same," he added. The Men in Green start the tournament against the Blackcaps today. The match will include two of the biggest names in the competition, with Babar set to face Kiwi star Kane Williamson. Joe Root, Steve Smith and Virat Kohli are part of the respective England, Australia and India squads, but Babar stands in a league of his own in ODI cricket, heading into this competition as the world's top-ranked batter in the 50-over format, a position he has been holding since 2021. "When you have a responsibility as a senior player in any team and the team relies on you and has belief in you, then I take it in a positive way. I try to give my best in every match. I try to perform so that Pakistan win, and I enjoy my cricket," the 30-year-old said. Right-hand batter's form will be crucial if Pakistan are to improve on their recent tournament record. They have been knocked out in the group stage at the last two ICC Men's Cricket World Cups and suffered the same fate at last year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup after losing to co-hosts USA. "There is no pressure of anything. What has happened in the past is beyond us. We have discussed mistakes we have made and we have worked on them. So we will try not to do what we have done in the past," the former Pakistan skipper said as the media release added. Notably, the home advantage could be key if Pakistan are to experience a change in fortunes. Babar's home city of Lahore is among the three Pakistani cities hosting matches and he believes local knowledge will help his side thrive. "When you play at home, you get that edge as you know the conditions. You have a knowledge of how the pitch will behave, both in the first and second (innings), but still, you have to play good cricket because all other teams are among the best," Babar said. "It means a lot to be hosting the competition. The hospitality here in Pakistan is great and people love cricket here. Cricket puts everyone in one place. It unites everyone and the whole of Pakistan is busy praying that Pakistan wins. Everyone is united in that," the cricketer added.
Int'l Cricket Council
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Babar Azam: A lot has changed since we won the Champions Trophy – but our belief is the same
Babar Azam was a precocious and promising 22-year-old when he helped Pakistan win the ICC Men's Champions Trophy in 2017. Almost eight years on, he has developed into one of the world's best batters across all formats and has his sights set on helping his country repeat the feat. The 2017 competition helped Babar announce himself on the international scene. A typically busy 46 from 52 balls in the final against India helped Pakistan on their way to a 180-run win at The Oval which remains etched in the national cricketing consciousness. But the elegant right-hander refuses to live in the past and wants to make more memories in front of the adoring Pakistani public in the coming weeks. 'I am very excited,' he said. 'We are going to have an ICC tournament in Pakistan after a very long time. As a player, I am very excited, and all the fans are excited. 'My primary memories of the 2017 final are Fakhar Zaman's innings (of 114), the spell of Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali's spell and the winning moment. 'For me, it was a new journey as I was a young player. Playing against India, that excitement and the nervousness was there but when we won, we enjoyed and celebrated. 'A lot has changed since the Champions Trophy was held in 2017. We have new players coming, we only have three or four players who were part of that winning team. But the belief, confidence and execution is the same.' Pakistan kick-off the tournament against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday, a clash which will include two of biggest names in the competition, with Babar set to go head-to-head with Kiwi star Kane Williamson. Joe Root, Steve Smith and Virat Kohli are part of the respective England, Australia and India squads but Babar stands in a league of his own in ODI cricket, heading into this competition as the world's top ranked batter in the 50-over format. 'When you have responsibility as a senior player in any team and the team relies on you and has belief in you, then I take it in a positive way,' he said. 'I try to give my best in every match. I try to perform so that Pakistan win and I enjoy my cricket.' His form will be crucial if Pakistan are to improve on their recent tournament record. They have been knocked out in the group stage at the last two ICC Men's Cricket World Cups and suffered the same fate at last year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup after losing to co-hosts USA. 'There is no pressure of anything,' Babar said. 'What has happened in the past is beyond us. We have discussed mistakes we have made and we have worked on them. So we will try not to do what we have done in the past.' Home advantage could be key if Pakistan are to experience a change in fortunes. Babar's home city of Lahore is among the three Pakistani cities hosting matches and he believes local knowledge will help his side thrive. 'When you play at home you get that edge as you know the conditions,' he said. 'You have a knowledge of how the pitch will behave, both in the first and second (innings), but still you have to play good cricket because all other teams are among the best. 'It means a lot to be hosting the competition. The hospitality here in Pakistan is great and people love cricket here. 'Cricket puts everyone in one place. It unites everyone and the whole of Pakistan is busy praying that Pakistan wins. Everyone is united in that.' ENDS
