Latest news with #Quaid-e-AzamTrophy
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Champions Cup future in jeopardy
The future of the Champions Cup cricket tournament is now in jeopardy, with discussions emerging about reviving the Pentangular Cup in its place. No decision has yet been made regarding the mentors who are drawing salaries of 5 million rupees per month. Meanwhile, the regions have rejected the proposal to reduce the number of domestic cricket teams. According to details, after domestic cricket failed to deliver the desired results, the PCB recently formed a committee for reforms, which held its first meeting a few days ago. Sources revealed that due to the lack of expected benefits, there are now considerations to discontinue the Champions Cup. No decision has been taken yet about the future of the mentors earning 5 million rupees monthly; one suggestion is to assign them other tasks. Discussions were also held about reinstating the four-day, one-day, and T20 Pentangular tournaments as in the past, including both finalists of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and departmental events, along with one PCB team. This team would include the best cricketers from across the country, and each team would have a professional coach appointed. During the meeting, representatives of the regions rejected the proposal to reduce the number of domestic teams from 18 to 9. Suggestions to categorize teams into silver and gold, merge smaller city teams, or combine regional and departmental teams also failed to convince them. They argued that the current teams were to remain in place for three years, and there's no justification for changing them after just one year. A regional official, blaming PCB's domestic cricket department's interference in selection and other matters as the root cause of issues, said they should be allowed to manage everything independently. Regarding the lack of talent from smaller cities, participants cited India's Ranji Trophy as an example, noting that only one superstar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, emerged from Jharkhand, but that team is always part of the domestic event. A similar example was given from Australian cricket regarding Steve Waugh.
Express Tribune
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pacer Hasan Ali named vice-captain of Karachi Kings for HBL PSL X
Hasan Ali has been appointed vice-captain of the Karachi Kings for the upcoming 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), replacing Shan Masood in a new leadership setup that also includes David Warner as captain. The right-arm pacer's appointment was announced via the franchise's social media, where the Kings shared a graphic featuring Hasan Ali under the caption, 'Hasan Ali proudly takes charge as the new Vice-Captain of Kings squad.' This is the second change in Karachi's leadership for the upcoming season, with Warner recently replacing Shan Masood as captain in what will be his debut PSL campaign. Hasan Ali, who was present at the PSL 10 captains' conference in Warner's absence, now steps into the leadership role with both domestic and franchise experience to his name. The 30-year-old previously led Central Punjab to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title in 2020 and remains a key figure in Karachi's bowling attack. He enters the tournament with 108 PSL wickets in 82 matches at an average of 22.96 and an economy rate of 8.03. He is just six wickets behind Wahab Riaz, who leads the all-time charts with 113 wickets in 88 matches. Hasan also holds the record for most wickets in a single PSL season, having claimed 25 scalps in 13 matches during PSL 4 while representing Peshawar Zalmi. The 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League begins on Friday, April 11, 2025, with defending champions Islamabad United facing Lahore Qalandars in the opener at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Karachi Kings kick off their campaign a day later on April 12 against Multan Sultans at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. The six-team tournament will feature 34 matches, culminating in the final at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on May 18. Karachi Kings squad for PSL 10: David Warner (C), Hasan Ali (VC), Abbas Afridi, Adam Milne, James Vince, Khushdil Shah, Shan Masood, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Tim Seifert, Zahid Mahmood, Litton Das, Mir Hamza, Fawad Ali, Riazullah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Kane Williamson, Mohammad Nabi, Mirza Mamoon.
Express Tribune
13-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
From local club to national hero: Salman Ali Agha's cricket journey with Pakistan
Salman Ali Agha's rise from Lahore to ODI stardom reached new heights with a match-winning, record-breaking century against South Africa. The dazzling knock, coupled with a remarkable partnership with Captain Muhammad Rizwan, helped Pakistan secure a thrilling victory and silence his critics in the process. In the third match of the three-nation ODI series played on Wednesday at Karachi's National Bank Stadium, Pakistan triumphed over South Africa by six wickets, securing their place in the final against New Zealand on Friday. South Africa set Pakistan a daunting target of 353 runs, but Pakistan comfortably chased it down, thanks to brilliant centuries from captain Mohammad Rizwan and vice-captain Agha. Agha played a magnificent unbeaten knock of 133 runs from 103 balls, including 2 sixes and 16 fours. This century marked Agha's first-ever in the ODI format, making him a topic of discussion in cricketing circles. Born on November 23, 1993, in Lahore, Agha began his cricket journey with the Apollo Cricket Club in Lahore and played his first-ever first-class match in 2013. In 2018, Agha was selected for the Federal Areas team in the Pakistan Cup, and that same year, he participated in the Global T20 Canada tournament, playing for Edmonton Royals. The following year, he was picked for the Southern Punjab team for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy season, and in October 2021, he was named to the Pakistan Shaheens (Pakistan A team) squad for their tour of Sri Lanka. 2018 proved to be a turning point in Agha's career. That year, he was selected by the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). From 2018 to 2021, Agha played 17 matches for the Qalandars. The year 2021 was extraordinary for Agha, as he became part of Pakistan's Test and ODI teams. He was included in the squad for the Test series against South Africa in January 2021 and against Zimbabwe in March 2021. Later that year, he was also included in the white-ball team for the ODI series against England. In 2022, Agha made his Test debut during the tour of Sri Lanka and marked his white-ball debut in the same year during the ODI series against the Netherlands. To date, Agha has represented Pakistan in 21 Test matches, scoring 1317 runs at an average of 38, including three centuries and nine half-centuries. He has also taken 19 wickets in red-ball cricket. In the ODI format, Agha has played 32 matches for Pakistan, accumulating 870 runs at an average of 45, including one century and five half-centuries. Additionally, he has taken 15 wickets in ODIs. Regarding his T20 International career, Agha has played six matches for the national team, scoring 50 runs and claiming two wickets. Last year, Agha was appointed vice-captain of Pakistan's white-ball team, further solidifying his role in the squad.
