Latest news with #PakistanCricketBoard
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Cricketers gear up for PCB's domestic cricket season 2025-26
LAHORE: The Domestic cricket season 2025-26 is set to begin with the 12-team Hanif Mohammad Trophy in August and it will be followed by the eight-team Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The 16 regional teams taking part in both the tournaments are set to conduct fitness tests for their preliminary squads a week before the beginning of the tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has devised a rigorous fitness testing criterion with two different levels, one for the pathways' players and the other for those set to take part in premier domestic events representing regions or departments throughout the season. The fitness testing first took place for the PCB Challenge Cup and the Senior Inter-District tournaments under the watch of PCB's strength and conditioning coaches across the 107 districts. In the next step around, 400 players vying to secure spots in their respective regional sides for the upcoming domestic season will be tested at their regional headquarters in August. The Under-19 players are also set to take part in the Regional Under-19 One-Day Cup and will undergo fitness testing before the tournament kicks off. The regional first-class players will go through a number of dynamic tests to establish their fitness for competitive domestic cricket and also bringing their names in contention for the domestic contracts for the coming season. The fitness reports will not only be evaluated by the regional coaches but will also be used by the PCB to address fitness challenges faced by the players. In another first, the PCB will also conduct the fitness tests of cricketers contracted by departments in Grade I, II and III. Before this, the departments used to carry their own fitness testing but with the strength and conditioning being top most priority the PCB has decided to collaborate with all the departments as well. The pre-season testing has also been refined and set up in such a way that fully fit players get the opportunities to take the field in domestic cricket enhancing the quality of the competition and skills. The players who fail their tests despite one re-test will not be able to attend any of the domestic tournaments. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Shadab Khan likely to miss Asia Cup 2025 due to injury
Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan is unlikely to feature in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 as he continues to recuperate from a shoulder injury sustained earlier this year. The 26-year-old all-rounder underwent surgery in the United Kingdom earlier in July after aggravating the issue that had already ruled him out of Pakistan's recent T20I assignments against Bangladesh and the ongoing West Indies tour. It is estimated that Shadab will require a minimum of three months to achieve full fitness, making a return before October improbable. This timeframe effectively sidelines him from the Asia Cup, which is set to take place in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28. Read more: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet confirmed any replacement for the T20 vice-captaincy. During the recent series against Bangladesh, no deputy was named in Shadab's absence, and the squad currently touring the Caribbean also lacks a designated second-in-command to stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha. An official update on Shadab's rehabilitation timeline has yet to be released by the PCB. Meanwhile, the Asian Cricket Council has confirmed the tournament schedule, with Pakistan set to begin their campaign against Oman on September 12. A highly anticipated clash with rivals India is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai. This year's edition of the Asia Cup will be contested in the T20 format, acting as a preparatory event for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The tournament will feature eight sides split across two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, India, UAE and Oman, while Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. The event will open with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong on September 9, with the final set for September 28. Should Pakistan and India advance to the Super Four stage, a second showdown between the two could potentially happen on September 21.
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Asia Cup cricket tournament to be held in UAE from Sept.9-28
The men's Asia Cup cricket tournament will be played in the UAE from Sept.9-28, a top official of the Asian Cricket Council said on Saturday. "I am delighted to confirm the dates for the ACC Men's Asia Cup 2025 in UAE,' ACC president Mohsin Naqvi wrote on X. "We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket! Detailed Schedule will be out soon.' Five full members of the ACC — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, official host India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka — along with UAE, Oman and Hong Kong will participate in the Twenty20 event. India is the official host but the tournament is being held at a neutral venue for rivals India and Pakistan. Naqvi, who is also chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, led an ACC annual general meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Thursday, but didn't confirm the dates after the meeting. According to reports, eight teams will compete: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, UAE, and Oman. A total of 19 matches will be played, with the final scheduled for 28 September. The tournament will follow the T20 format. Pakistan and India are expected to be in the same group, which could lead to three possible encounters—one in the group stage, one in the Super Four, and potentially a third in the final. Agencies
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- Sport
- Gulf Insider
Asia Cup 2025 To Be Held In UAE From September 9–28, Confirms ACC Chief
The Men's Asia Cup 2025 will now take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi announced on Saturday. The tournament will be played in the T20 format, making it a vital build-up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Originally scheduled to be hosted by India, the tournament has been relocated due to ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. Matches are expected to be held across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), confirmed the change following the recent ACC meeting in Dhaka, where BCCI officials participated virtually. 'We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket! Detailed schedule will be out soon,' Naqvi posted on social platform X. The tournament will feature India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong. Defending champions India will return after their 2023 title victory against Sri Lanka in a 50-over final in Colombo. Fans may see India and Pakistan face off up to three times — in the group stage, Super Fours, and potentially the final — depending on the draw and progression. The Asia Cup 2025 is expected to play a crucial role in team preparations for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The official schedule of the tournament will be announced soon
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Dar was paid double fee during HBL PSL9
The PCB audit report has raised concerns over umpire Aleem Dar receiving double the standard match fee during PSL 9, as he was paid $4,000 per match instead of the set $2,000. According to details in the report, Aleem Dar received an additional payment of approximately 3.85 million PKR under match fee expenditures. The note sheet labeled "PCB-DCOP-24-1848 – Payments for Match Officials, PSL 9, 2024" reveals that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed several umpires and match referees for PSL 9 fixtures. As per PCB regulations, the match fee for an umpire on the ICC International Panel is $2,000 per match. However, Aleem Dar was paid $4,000 per match, which was double the official rate. This increased payment was approved by previous Chairman of the Management Committee. The audit report states that this resulted in an additional financial burden of $14,000 on the PCB, 15 million PKR were allocated from the Chairman's contingency fund. In total, Aleem Dar received $28,000 as match official fees during PSL 9, in line with the ICC Elite Panel rate of $4,000 per match. However, at the time of PSL 9, Aleem Dar was not part of the ICC Elite Panel. He was on the PCB's International Panel, meaning his designated fee should have been $2,000 per match. This led to an excess payment of $14,000 (around 3.85 million PKR) which, according to the audit, was beyond his entitlement. The auditors concluded that this excessive payment not only gave undue benefit to the recipient but also caused financial loss to the PCB and the franchises. In response, the PCB management explained that Aleem Dar, being part of the PCB International Panel, had requested to be paid at the ICC Elite Panel rate, and that this request was approved by the Chairman at the time. The report states that this response indicates the management acknowledged the audit's observation.
