Day: July 14, 2021

Lahore, July 14, 2021 (PPI-OT):For the first time in the event’s history, players participating in the inter-city tournament will receive match fees in line with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s policy of incentivising and attracting talented cricketers as part of its endeavor to professionalise the sport across the country. The competition starts on Friday, 16 July, to be played in the Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh Cricket Association jurisdictions. Matches of the Balochistan and Southern Punjab-leg will start on 24 July, while Northern-phase matches will commence on 27 July.

While outstanding players from these City Cricket Association competitions will be provided an opportunity to graduate to the next level, they will also receive a PKR 5,000 match fee along with daily allowances. To provide a better, safer and healthier environment, all travel will be arranged and provided for by the PCB, while they will be lodged at hotels on PCB’s panel. The PCB has already for the first time, through a robust and stringent recruitment process, appointed qualified coaches at this level. These coaches, who are aligned with the National High Performance Centre’s coaching philosophy, will work with players and help them to hone their talent and skills.

Most of these 93 coaches are former first-class or international cricketers who have been integrated into the system in line with the strategy to utilise their knowledge as well as to provide them with employment opportunities.

Not only will the players be professionally looked after by the PCB, the match officials will also be provided an environment where they can produce better performances and move up the ladder. In this regard, they, along with the scorers, will receive the same match fee and allowances they had received when the tournament was last staged in the 2018-19 season.

The tournament could not be held in 2019 following the disbandment of the regional cricket associations, while this was the only tournament that was affected in 2020 by the Covid-19 pandemic when sport activities, including cricket, were suspended. Furthermore, and taking into consideration concussion guidelines and Covid-19 times, on-call doctors will be available to assist the players throughout the duration of the event, as and when required.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

Karachi, July 14, 2021 (PPI-OT):Shahid Afridi, one of the most popular Pakistan cricketers, has thrown his weight behind the Pakistan men’s national team following their ODI series against England, which concluded with a three-wicket win for the hosts at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Tuesday. The series gave England a 3-0 series win.

Shahid, who represented Pakistan in 27 Tests, 398 ODIs and 99 T20Is in a 20-year-long and distinguished international career, feels the players need the support of the fans and critics when they are down after a poor performance.

“At present, the players representing the Pakistan national team are the best we have in terms of talent and ability. These players have performed consistently in recent times, in fact, some of them have been performing for a considerable time period. These are our best players, they are the ones whose talent we have to utilise.

“We need to keep them motivated and hungry for success. We need to support the players in tough times, as a cricket fan and former player.

“I can accept the team losing as long as they fight it out on the field. I feel that cricket has changed a lot in recent years. Now, attack is the best defence and there is no way to succeed other than by playing with an attacking intent, especially in the white-ball formats.

“Our players are good at either attacking or blocking. Maybe, we need to find a middle way, especially for the ODI format. All our players need to back their abilities and play on their actual strength.”

Shahid, who played a leading role in Pakistan’s ICC World T20 2009 victory, feels the current side has the potential to match the exploits of the Younis Khan-led 2009 side, especially since the tournament is taking place in the UAE where Pakistan have played a lot of cricket with success against some of the leading teams in the world.

“In the UAE, we have a very good record and have done very well against some top-ranked teams and that augurs well for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Spinners and batters will have a prominent role to play in the UAE conditions. If the ball starts to reverse, then we have the potential of being the very best, if we play to our strength, we have a good chance of winning the tournament.”

Shahid concluded that he remains committed to fitness and cricket, and would continue to play franchise and club cricket as long as he is enjoying the game and remained fit, as this was the desire of his late father. Shahid also expressed his desire to work with age-group players as a motivator while sharing the experiences of his cricketing journey.

PCB and Shahid Afridi Foundation partnership: Earlier this week, the PCB extended its partnership with Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) for an additional two years. As such, SAF will continue to be the PCB’s charity partner for the next two years.

While thanking the PCB, Shahid outlined the work his foundation has done in recent years. “It is a matter of great satisfaction, pride and delight for me to have this partnership with the PCB as I have a very long relationship with the board that started more than 20 years ago when I first started playing professional cricket.

“For me, SAF projects remain a top priority, we have projects all over the country, I personally have a lot of interest in water projects and education initiatives that we have taken for the underprivileged. I want to work with our children and youth by providing them good education opportunities and also a platform for them to excel in cricket and other sports. “I owe it to my country and my people, whatever I am today is due to the support and love of my countrymen and that is the biggest motivation for me in my charity work.” Shahid also thanked cricketers from within Pakistan and all around the world who have supported him in the SAF cause.

“Cricketers not only from Pakistan but from around the world have supported me wholeheartedly in my SAF endeavours. The PCB also provide regular patronage and support through workshops that various coaches and staff works on, I am truly humbled by the support from everyone and it keeps me going as I strive for more.”

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

Birmingham, July 14, 2021 (PPI-OT):Misbah-ul-Haq, head coach Pakistan men’s cricket team admitted the team didn’t perform as was expected in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League ODI series against England and there is lot to work on before the start of next series. While talking to the media in a virtual media conference, at the conclusion of the three-match ODI series, Misbah said, “I will not make an excuse, I accept as a head coach our performance was not up to the mark. It was very disappointing as we failed to perform in all departments of the game.”

When asked where the team went wrong during the series, Misbah emphasised, “We had performed well in the recent series. We were satisfied we were on the right track. But this series proved to be a difficult one and it seems we were back from where we had started and this was a worrying sign for me as a head coach.” When asked about Babar Azam’s performance as captain, the head coach responded, “Babar’s batting has improved since taking over the captaincy. Babar will learn with experience; no one is perfect.”

On playing the same 11 in all three matches of the series, Misbah said, “We played our best combination in the series, but unfortunately it didn’t click. The players have not played ODI cricket lately and they were coming after playing in the HBL PSL. Overall we played our best side according to the conditions.”

Asked what positives can be taken from the series, Misbah said: “The batting performances of Babar and Rizwan were very important ahead of the T20I series against England and later on for West Indies tour. The bowlers had performed well in the previous series and I am expecting them to bounce back strong.”

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk