Latest news with #Mahmood
News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
PCB In Mess! Wants To Sack Azhar Mahmood But Forced To Give Him New Role As...
PCB faces issues like financial irregularities and trouble releasing Azhar Mahmood due to his contract. Mahmood, unhappy as interim red-ball coach, requested a junior team role. The prickly situations at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seem never-ending. After recently being found at fault for financial irregularities worth millions, it is now being reported that they want to sack Azhar Mahmood but are forced to keep him on the books, even giving him the role of the interim national red-ball coach. According to a report in the news agency PTI, which quoted a PCB insider, the board's contract with Mahmood runs till April-May of 2026 and under it, firing him before that would require them to pay a severance fees, equivalent of his salary for six months — approximately PKR 450 million (USD 160,000 or Rs 1.37 crore). 'Which is why the PCB recently named him as interim head coach of the national red-ball team until his contract expires next year in April-May," the quoted source said. 'The problem arose when Mike Hesson, the recently-appointed white-ball head coach made it clear he would have his own support staff and Azhar was not among his selections. This left the PCB with a major problem of how to utilise Azhar's expertise to justify paying him such a handsome salary, as even if they wanted they couldn't release him without the six months of compensation," they added. Meanwhile, Mahood is not said to be too happy with the situation either. He has made requests to be assigned to the national junior team, but that hasn't been sanctioned. The report said the PCB faced similar issues while trying to release Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Misbah ul Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed from their contracts as mentors of the domestic teams in the Champions Cup events. The contracts had to be canceled after just one season. Mahmood, 50, played 23 Tests and 143 ODIs for Pakistan between 1996 and 2007, taking 162 international wickets and scoring over 2400 runs across the two formats. His first assignment will be a visit from South Africa to Pakistan later in the year for a two-match tour. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Pakistan's merry-go-round with coaches continues; PCB keen to release Azhar Mahmood
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is eager to release former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood from their coaching staff, but a contract signed under the previous management is proving to be a constraint. Last month, Mahmood was appointed acting head coach of the men's red-ball team after Jason Gillespie resigned in April 2024, just eight months into his reveal that the PCB pays Mahmood a monthly salary of approximately PKR 7.5 million. If he is released before his contract expires, the PCB would be required to pay him PKR 450 million (USD 160,000) in is why the PCB recently named him as interim head coach of the national red-ball team until his contract expires next year in April-May," the insider said, as quoted by PTI. Also Read: Bangladesh vs Pakistan T20I series Live Streaming: Squads and all you need to knowWhen Mahmood was appointed as the acting coach, his first assignment was the two-match Test series against South Africa at home, scheduled for October this issue arose when white-ball coach Mike Hesson stated that having Azhar on the coaching staff was not part of his plans."The problem arose when Mike Hesson, the recently-appointed white-ball head coach made it clear he would have his own support staff and Azhar was not among his selections."This left the PCB with a major problem of how to utilise Azhar's expertise to justify paying him such a handsome salary, as even if they wanted they couldn't release him without the six months of compensation," the insider previously served as Pakistan's bowling coach from 2016 to 2019. In 2024, he acted as head coach during the T20I series against New also worked as bowling coach for both the Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and has also served as head coach of Islamabad is next scheduled to face Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series, beginning June 20 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.- EndsMust Watch
4 days ago
- Business
Muslim donors flood Mamdani's campaign for NYC mayor, see national impact
Six days before polls closed in the New York City mayoral primary, and hours after former Mayor Michael Bloomberg injected an extra $5 million into former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's mayoral PAC, a group of Muslim Americans began mobilizing nationwide. A few donors told ABC News they knew they couldn't match Cuomo's donors, but believed a small jolt might give Zohran Mamdani a final push in the Democratic primary. After Mamdani's upset victory over the presumed favorite, Cuomo, some of those who supported Mamdani told ABC News they felt their contributions toward his victory could forecast a rise in a larger network of Muslim Americans fundraising in national politics, which they say might influence who will run, and who might win. On election night, leaders for Mamdani's super PAC, "New Yorkers for Lower Costs," released a memo titled "What we did to help elect Zohran Mamdani," thanking donors for their role in his upset win, writing, "In particular, the generosity of Arab and Muslim Americans … has been truly incredible…" PAC chair Regina Monge told ABC News many of their biggest donors were Arab or Muslim. Some political science experts said Mamdani won support from almost every demographic. Still, longtime Muslim donors stress the Muslim bloc stands out for its first prominent, unified national effort and believe they're seeing the political muscle Muslims could flex across American politics if mobilized. Democratic bundler Asif Mahmood, who helped raise millions for Hillary Clinton and Vice President Kamala Harris and ran for Congress himself, said Mamdani's candidacy has been transformative, and sees it as influencing others like Michigan's Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, whose campaign touts $1.8 million raised under three months, 95% from donations under $100. "[Mamdani] was able to move Muslim support across the board," Mahmood said, stating he believes Mamdani was unique in coalescing donors who were Arab and South Asian, secular and devout, local and nationwide - much of what he says is apparent in the filing report. Mahmood points to his campaign for Congress, where he says his Muslim donor support overwhelmingly came from his own South Asian community, as a major example. He also points to the Council on American–Islamic Relations' political arm—the Unity & Justice Fund—making a total contribution of $100,000, alongside Muslims in tech making major donations and Muslim pop culture figures inspiring engagement. "He has shown his strength," said Mahmood, who said he will contact Mamdani's campaign for a fundraiser at his California home, adding, "This is not a local race anymore. This is a national race." Mamdani's win vaulted him into the national conversation overnight, drawing mentions from the Speaker of the House, DNC Chair and President Donald Trump. It also led to the conversation about which Democratic Party faction should lead as it aims to rebuild. Every donor ABC News spoke to describes the war in Gaza as a major reason donors became more financially involved. The Uncommitted movement, the pro-Palestinian group critical of the Biden administration's Gaza war policy, did not endorse Harris in 2024, stating "Harris's unwillingness to shift on unconditional weapons policy or to even make a clear campaign statement in support of upholding existing U.S. and international human rights law." "I felt demoralized and ignored. Palestine did not get the attention it deserved," Rehan Azhar, a donor for Mamdani's PAC, told ABC News. Some donors, like first-time donor and Silicon Valley angel investor Tariq Afaq Ahmed, said they believed that money could be the tool to gain the attention their community needed. "If there was a better plan… there could have been a bigger push," Ahmed told ABC News. "Maybe this is the infancy of something to come." New money, new donor class Some Democratic strategists say that historically, South Asian and Arab Muslims in America, many of whom immigrated post-1965, have not invested in politics. "Most immigrant communities in the U.S. follow a familiar trajectory in their giving: it starts with religious institutions and charity," Democratic strategist Waleed Shahid told ABC News. "Investing in politics is rarely the first instinct, but once it happens, it marks a transition from survival to coalition building and political power." Faiz Shakir, Bernie Sanders' senior advisor and former campaign manager, told ABC News that the Muslim community's power is rising as many gain wealth. "This community is maturing quickly. There's more people in probably the 30 to 49-year-old range that are millionaires," Shakir said. One of the lead donors to the "New Yorkers for Lower Costs" super PAC backing Mamdani is the 34-year-old Azhar, and who said early last year he started a small network of like-minded Muslims, most under 50, after selling his business. He said that moments after he watched Mamdani's odds on PolyMarket plunge after Bloomberg boosted Cuomo's war chest to more than $25 million, he knew he wanted to act. "I started texting everyone," said Azhar, who said he felt he had just hours to raise money. "I told them: 'This has the potential to change Democratic politics nationwide. The return on investment is enormous."Within hours, Azhar says several people pledged a total of over half a million dollars. Azhar, a first-time donor, brought his donation for Zohran's "New Yorkers for Lower Costs" super PAC to over $150,000. Others followed with giant checks. One person he called was Ahmed, who said Azhar convinced him to give $25,000. In the final hours, D.C.-based Rocket Money co-founders Haroon and Idris contributed over $189,000. Idris said, "This is a once-in-a-generation candidate ….[Mamdani] didn't back down from principles. It was awe-inspiring." Challenges and the future Some Democratic strategists said that while Mamdani influenced a new donor class, he also received financial blowback from far wealthier individuals. Shakir says "Mamdani's views about Gaza and Israel, combined with his willingness and desire to take on powerful moneyed interests," have galvanized billionaires, and, "With just a few checks, they can just swamp this election."But in his primary, Mamdani proved a little could go a long way - largely fueling his campaign with volume. His campaign received 28,000 small-dollar donations totaling $1.7 million to Cuomo's $4 million from just 6,500 donations. And even smaller campaign donors had a major impact. Californian Mohammed Davoodi gave $2,100 directly to the campaign, and now hopes to host his first-ever fundraiser for Mamdani, and is considering running for office. But Davoodi now hopes to host his first-ever fundraiser for Mamdani, and is considering running for office. "[Mamdani's] my age. His childhood photos look like me. He's an immigrant like I am," Davoodi said. "As much as Islamophobia has come out, it shows Americans don't care - a Muslim can be in office. It's about your principles and policies."
Hans India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Over 8,000 auto-rickshaws in the city not roadworthy
Hyderabad: Over 8,000 autos rickshaws, including grossly unfit ones, have reportedly been permitted as roadworthy based on fake documents by the Road Transport Authority. The RTA officials act in collusion with agents who facilitate the use of fraudulent documents for the transfer of ownership, vehicle permit, and fitness, it is alleged. When a passenger hails an auto-rickshaw, its driver, despite not having the mandatory meter, will not bat an eyelid before demanding exorbitant fares and then refusing to ply if his demand is not met. People have got used to this. What if the auto you take is unfit; that is, not roadworthy, but illegally plying as 'fit' auto? Thousands of such auto-rickshaws in the city are plying illegally on city roads, endangering passengers' lives. What is incredible is that these vehicles are running under the nose of the authorities. According to the City Auto & Motor Cab Drivers Welfare Society, over 8,000 of the autos plying on city roads are not roadworthy and they ought to have been scrapped years ago. They alleged that autos that come for scrapping to RTA offices are being sold illegally. 'As per RTA records, over 80,000 autos were scrapped, however, several thousands of these unfit autos are running in the twin cities. This is due to the negligence of higher authorities,' said Mohammed Mahmood Hussain Makke, president of City Auto & Motor Cab Drivers Welfare Society. Mahmood said that these autos are posing a risk to the lives and limbs of passengers. 'In Greater Hyderabad, over 1.40 lakh autos and additionally over 15,000 illegal autos are running on roads.' Mahmood alleged. 'Autos meant for scrapping are illegally sold in collusion with RTA authorized scrap dealers and 8,000 plus such auto rickshaws are plying on city roads and other districts.' City Auto Drivers said several representations were given to the Transport Department, Transport Commissioner, Joint Commissioner and Secretary, regarding the illegal sale of scrapped autos and faulty scrapping policy. M Dayanand, General secretary of Auto Motor Welfare Association, said that there was also fraud in the transfer of ownership and transfer of vehicle permit of auto rickshaws in the RTA offices. Dayanand said 'Only in North zone RTA office Trimulgherry, as many as 8,131 autos were illegally transferred with fake documents. And there will be several thousands in all RTAs in the city.' He said 'For the transfer of ownership and transfer of vehicles permit, both the seller and buyer should be present before the RTO and should affix their signatures. But, in most of such cases, only the seller is present, and the application is submitted for the transfer of ownership as well as for transfer of vehicle permit, with fake address proof - fake Aadhar Card. The files are passed after receiving an amount Rs 1,300 per file as a bribe is taken and as usual, they share the total bribe collected for the day,' alleged Dayanand. U Rajender, another activist, said that several complaints were given by the association regarding the fraud taking place in the RTA offices in the city. However, no action has been taken. 'We demand a probe into the scam in vehicle transfer taking place in the RTA offices.'
The Print
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Pakistan cricket is in a ‘dark age', ushered in by politics, corruption, terrorism & crumbling infra
The allrounder's appointment is yet another example of how Pakistan, once considered a cricketing powerhouse, has been hit by years of misgovernance, political interference, corruption and self-serving, power-hungry officials. Azhar Mahmood was made the acting head coach last week, being elevated from the all-format assistant coach position he had held since last April. New Delhi: Pakistan have a new head coach for their men's Test team—the seventh such appointment in four years, and one that illustrates how the country's national cricket has been caught in a ceaseless spiral. In February, Pakistan endured the searing disappointment of a winless campaign in the Champions Trophy, the first major International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament they hosted since 1996. The agony deepened as they were swept aside by New Zealand, suffering a brutal 4-1 defeat in the T20I series, followed by a humiliating 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series. The disappointing Champions Trophy run, combined with security concerns and a shrinking fanbase, has sparked doubts about the country's future as a cricketing hub, even as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a desperate attempt to hit the reset button, announced Mahmood's appointment. Former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif believes lack of cricket education is at the core of the problem. 'These systems (like the National Cricket Academy, exist in India and Australia. We don't have anything like this. We are lagging behind. Cricket education is the need of the hour,' he told ThePrint early in April, at a time Pakistan were touring New Zealand. Managed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the NCA was set up with an aim to scout and nurture young talent with potential for national cricket, as well as player rehabilitation. Other experts ThePrint spoke to echoed the sentiment that Pakistan's cricket infrastructure was falling apart. The management is accused of favouritism more often than not and the PCB has painted itself as a victim of inconsistency, dwindling funds, and a lack of direction, they said. 'Sports in any nation mirror the state of its society,' Faizan Lakhani, deputy sports editor at Karachi-based Geo News, told ThePrint in March, reflecting on the Champions Trophy rout and other recent disasters in Pakistan Cricket. 'Our society has experienced a decline, with a lack of drive to improve, and this apathy is clearly visible in the sport.' He described this period as the 'dark age of Pakistan cricket'. The rot is deep, and underlines a complete lack of planning, vision, and grassroots development. The stadiums are ageing, neglected, and barely up to international standards; most haven't seen meaningful upgrades in years. Even basic facilities like proper training grounds, high-performance centres, and academies are low in number and whatever exists is outdated. Compare that to India's rapid stadium revamps, Indian Premier League-fuelled academies, or even Afghanistan's steady rise in cricketing stature. 'Pehle ek-ek area mein paanch ground hote the. Ab paanch area mein ek ground hain,' said Lakhani. 'Commercial activities have taken over (earlier each area in Karachi had 5 grounds; today, five areas together have one ground).' Inter-school and inter-college competitions have become increasingly rare, which is why participation in sports is steadily falling, he said. But, neglected stadiums or lack of training academies isn't all. Latif, 56, said those dealing with cricket statistics in Pakistan are not equipped to handle this data. 'Our management has to understand the difference between data, data science and data engineering.' 'That's why today, the IPL has become an industry, and PSL (Pakistan Super League) couldn't. In fact, PSL has experienced a downfall with every passing year,' he added. Also Read: BCCI has 'too soon' moment as fans object to India-Pakistan fixture in ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Security a forever concern The country has also been struggling to convince international teams to visit ever since terrorists attacked a bus that was carrying Sri Lanka cricket players in Lahore in 2009. Six players were injured in the attack and cricket teams from across the world stopped visiting the country to play. Even when Pakistan hosted the Champions Trophy, the India games were held in Dubai over intel of security threats. More recently, weeks after India-Pakistan tensions played out in the skies during Operation Sindoor, friction between the nuclear neighbours spilled over into the world of cricket, with reports saying that the BCCI was yet to confirm its participation in the Asia Cup. Indian sports journalist Pradeep Magazine said Pakistan's cricket has long been 'unstructured' and unlike BCCI, which has a well-established, independent framework, the PCB has struggled with consistency and organisation. 'When matches are one-sided, people lose interest.' Death of domestic cricket Regional associations, once instrumental in nurturing grassroots cricket in Pakistan, have been weakened by infighting and power struggles. Political interference at the regional level, too, has inflicted deep damage on the credibility and efficiency of the system. One of the biggest flaws lies in the formation of city teams. When a particular club's representatives gain control over a city's domestic team management, they push their own players, sidelining deserving talent from other clubs, explained Lakhani. 'There's an unwritten rule whispered in local circuits: 'If you play for my club, you'll make it to the city squad, otherwise forget about selection.' This club-centric favouritism compromises merit and deteriorates the quality of cricket.' Similar issues were voiced by veteran Pakistani batter Sohaib Maqsood in a video last November. Maqsood, who represented Pakistan in limited-overs formats from 2013 to 2021, highlighted a glaring lack of opportunities for emerging players. He pointed out that the current domestic cricket setup does not cater to development of players at the grassroots level. Talent is either ignored or mishandled, which is why many promising players fade away before they can reach the international stage, he said. Senior district cricket tournament is probably the most important tournament for 90% of the cricketers in our country that defines their future in cricket listen till the end how the future gets destroyed 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 — Sohaib Maqsood (@sohaibcricketer) November 21, 2024 In another video, he highlighted how district-level coaches ruin careers of young players by restricting them from playing internationally. They keep the talent to their district team so that they win matches. For Pakistani cricket, what's even more troubling is the glaring gap between domestic and international cricket. 'Pakistan lacks a robust 'A-team' structure,' said Lakhani. To truly compete at the international level, players must face high-quality opposition regularly. Without competitive 'A' tours, side matches, or proper exposure, domestic talent fails to transition smoothly to the international stage—and the entire ecosystem suffers for it. 'Other cricketing nations like India ensure that their A-team tours extensively, especially ahead of major series. When India tours Australia, their A-team arrives earlier to get accustomed to the conditions,' Lakhani said. Toxic inconsistency Add to the chaos, the inconsistency of PCB which has become a revolving door of political appointees and the picture becomes even more stark. One chairman is sacked, another is installed—a round of musical chairs that only hurts the game. Every new regime scraps the previous one's policies, leaving players confused and systems in limbo. The constant turnover of PCB chairmen has not only disrupted the management but also thrown the team's balance into disarray. Over the past two years, Pakistan's international team has seen its head coach change a staggering seven times, besides constant switches in captaincy. In October 2023, just ahead of Pakistan's crucial ICC World Cup match against South Africa, PCB issued a press statement putting captain Babar Azam on notice, signalling growing internal tensions. This escalated further when claims emerged that Babar's attempts to reach PCB officials like then chairman Zaka Ashraf and director Usman Wallah went unanswered. A leaked purported private chat between Babar and PCB chief operating officer Salman Naseer added to the controversy. Amid these tensions, Inzamam-ul-Haq resigned as chairman of the national men's selection committee and junior selection committee on 30 October, citing a conflict of interest inquiry. By mid-November, Babar was compelled to resign as Pakistan's captain across all formats, with Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood taking over the reins in Test and T20I formats, respectively. The restructuring continued as Mohammed Hafeez was appointed director of the national men's team, while the roles of the previous director Mickey Arthur and head coach Grant Bradburn were adjusted. In early 2024, a series of leadership changes saw Zaka Ashraf resign, and Mohsin Naqvi took over as PCB chairman. Naqvi's tenure too was marked by challenges, including player dissatisfaction and ongoing internal restructuring. In March 2024, Shaheen Afridi was sacked as T20I captain, only for Babar to return as his replacement. Further upheaval continued throughout the year, with several staff and management changes, including the exits of coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, who blamed lack of communication and transparency. Later in March 2025, Salman Ali Agha was named the new T20I captain while Mohammad Rizwan continued to lead the side in the ODI format. According to Lakhani, the 'centralisation' of PCB in the last 25 years is to blame. Associations, even at district level, are not empowered, he said. 'In their selection committee. There is always a member of PCB involved.' Further, Latif explained that as money flowed into the PCB, salaries for managerial staff soared from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 20 lakh on average per month, paving the way for 'too many political appointments'. Latif and Maqsood both echoed a harsh reality: inconsistency runs deep, not just within the ranks of PCB, but within the team itself. Players, too, find themselves caught in this vicious cycle. Many promising cricketers, brimming with talent, receive little support from the management and, after just a handful of patchy performances, are quickly cast aside. 'Had Mickey Arthur not thrown his weight behind Babar Azam, he would never have made it to the team,' Lakhani remarked. If a player has batted on Multan's pitches all his career, management can't just send him to Sydney and expect him to perform with the same intensity. 'And, if he doesn't deliver in four or five matches, he is dropped,' he added. Experts ThePrint spoke to also delved into the insecurity plaguing senior players, noting how their reluctance to step aside stifles new talent. 'The involvement of former cricketers has been reduced to TV shows and commentaries,' Lakhani said. 'They do very little at the grassroots level.' Take Shoaib Malik, for instance—a former captain whose role should be to mentor younger players, yet he remains intent on playing himself, unwilling to relinquish his spot. Even well into their 40s, players like him continue to represent regional teams, despite having no future in international cricket. Today, selection for Pakistan's cricket team seems driven more by social media buzz than by solid, consistent performances in domestic cricket. A flashy innings and a viral hashtag are often enough to secure a call-up. India vs Pakistan The state of Pakistani cricket has also taken away from one of the most electrifying contests in the game—India vs Pakistan. It is now reduced to a one-sided encounter, with India consistently dominating. Since 2010, India has won 12 out of 17 ODIs against Pakistan, with only four losses and one no-result. In T20I matches, India are the runaway leaders. From 2010 onwards, the two sides have locked horns in 11 matches, out of which, Pakistan has emerged victorious in only three. The disparity in resources is noteworthy—India has a wealth of financial backing and an ever-growing pool of talent, making its dominance almost inevitable. In contrast, Pakistan struggles with limited funds, and when that money doesn't trickle down to the grassroots level, problems arise. 'It's sad to witness their decline, and it's a worrying trend for world cricket,' Magazine said. Then there is the security situation. The 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore bus marked a tragic turning point. It led to Pakistan being isolated from hosting international cricket. In the aftermath, Pakistan was forced to play 'home' games abroad—in Dubai. Latif said playing on Dubai pitches took a toll on Pakistan's cricket. 'Dubai pitches made their game play from aggressive to defensive.' But Magazine feels otherwise. 'Home games generate passion, inspire young players, and fuel public interest. As fewer people were drawn to the sport, Pakistan's cricketing pool shrank.' In Lakhani's view, going forward, Pakistan's cricketing future hinges on three key pillars: honesty, patience, and consistency. 'The system must be rebuilt from the grassroots.' He also stressed the need for a structured approach at every level, from clubs to top-tier teams. If the administrative changes aren't made now, Magazine warned that Pakistan risks following the path of the West Indies, a once-great cricketing nation now struggling for relevance. 'It's not a good sign for world cricket.' As Magazine put it, 'With the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and now possibly Pakistan on the decline, what's left?' (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: BCCI should boycott Pakistan Cricket Board. It will hurt its finances, not the game
