Babar Azam has stepped down as Pakistan’s white-ball captain for the second time in a year, citing feeling disconnected and undervalued as the main reasons for his decision. Following Pakistan’s group-stage exit in the T20 World Cup, speculation grew about Babar’s leadership, and it was reported that he felt increasingly detached from his teammates, contributing to his decision to resign.

The Growing Disconnect

According to Cricket Pakistan, Babar’s growing sense of disconnection with the team after the T20 World Cup played a pivotal role in his resignation. Babar also reportedly felt undervalued, particularly after being reinstated as captain just before the T20 World Cup, following his initial resignation post the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Rizwan as the Likely Successor

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is already in discussions with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan to take over as the new white-ball captain. It has also been suggested that coach Gary Kirsten wanted Babar to continue leading the ODI side while appointing a new T20I captain. However, Babar reportedly turned down this proposal.

Babar’s Focus on Personal Growth

Babar took to social media platform X to clarify that stepping down from the captaincy was to reduce his workload and focus more on his batting and personal growth. He expressed his commitment to continue contributing to the Pakistan team across all formats.

With Babar stepping down, the debate on Pakistan’s leadership continues, as the team looks for a fresh start ahead of its upcoming tours.

“We played some excellent cricket, both with the bat and the ball. The issue was that we didn’t sustain it long enough,” Gillespie said on a PCB podcast. He emphasized the need for consistency and seizing opportunities, “When we allowed our opponents to get into the game, they capitalized and pulled ahead. That’s where we let ourselves down.”

In the first Test against Bangladesh, Pakistan declared early and had their opponents struggling at 218/5, but Bangladesh mounted a strong comeback to reach 565. In the second Test, after putting up 274 runs, Pakistan reduced Bangladesh to 26/6, only to see their advantage slip as Bangladesh fought back, resulting in a slender first-innings lead of just 12 runs.

“What we need is a bit more ruthlessness. When we’re ahead, we need to stay ahead and really drive home that advantage. There was some very good work done, but when we had a bad hour, it set us back,” said Gillespie.

With a home series against England set to begin next week, Gillespie acknowledges the challenge, particularly given England’s aggressive batting approach, famously dubbed “Bazball.” England has a different squad this time, with key players like James Anderson, Mark Wood, and Ollie Robinson absent. However, Gillespie doesn’t see this as a weakness. “We can only prepare to play against the players that England has selected. While some of their players might be inexperienced, they’ve shown that they can perform at the Test level,” he added.

The Australian coach is optimistic about the series, emphasizing the pride and excitement his team feels playing Test cricket for Pakistan. “They take pride in representing their country and want to inspire the Pakistani supporters,” Gillespie shared.

Pakistan’s team selection faced criticism in the series against Bangladesh, particularly for fielding an all-pace attack on a spin-friendly surface. In contrast, the squad for the England series includes three specialist pacers—Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mir Hamza—alongside all-rounder Aamer Jamal, with an addition of veteran spinner Noman Ali.

Defending the selections, Gillespie emphasized backing players and fostering open communication. “All players are disappointed when they miss out… but the players understand my philosophy regarding selection. We want to back and support players,” he explained.

Gillespie is well aware of England’s aggressive cricket style, which led to their historic series win in Pakistan in 2022. While not a fan of the term “Bazball,” Gillespie noted, “We will play our way, striving to be a consistent and disciplined team that hangs in there and strikes at the right moment.”

Gillespie is confident that his team is motivated to face the challenge and prove doubters wrong. “A lot of people are writing us off, and that’s okay. It will only motivate our boys a little bit more. We’ll go out and do our jobs as best we can, and hopefully, the results will take care of themselves.”

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi is expected to meet BCCI Secretary and future ICC Chairman Jay Shah soon to discuss key aspects of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted by Pakistan. A significant topic of the meeting will be India’s participation, as the team has not yet confirmed whether they will travel to Pakistan for the event.

When Will the Meeting Take Place?

The meeting between Naqvi and Shah is scheduled to take place during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 finals on October 20. The two are expected to discuss India’s involvement in the tournament, as it would be the first time since 2008 that India would potentially travel to Pakistan. While Pakistan has recently traveled to India for the ODI World Cup 2023, the last time India visited Pakistan was over a decade ago. During the Asia Cup 2023, which Pakistan hosted, the BCCI had declined to send Indian cricketers, highlighting the complex relationship between the two cricket boards.

Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule and Arrangements

The ICC has reviewed and approved arrangements at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Gadaffi Stadium, and National Stadium for the tournament. The PCB is now eagerly awaiting the final approval of the tournament schedule, which is expected to be held from February to March 2025. In talks with ICC officials, the PCB has emphasized the importance of timely finalization to ensure smooth logistical planning for the event.

With this upcoming meeting, all eyes are on how the discussions will shape India’s potential participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Saleema Imtiaz has made history as the first Pakistani woman to be nominated to the ICC International Development Panel of umpires. This prestigious nomination allows her to officiate in women’s bilateral international matches and ICC women’s events. Her first assignment will be during the upcoming T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa, starting Monday in Multan.

Reflecting on her achievement, Imtiaz expressed her gratitude and dedication, saying, “The journey has been filled with hard work and personal sacrifices, but now, standing at the cusp of this new chapter, it all feels worth it. This isn’t just a win for me, it’s a win for every aspiring female cricketer and umpire in Pakistan.”

Imtiaz, the mother of Pakistani cricketer Kainat Imtiaz, has already officiated in 22 T20Is, 16 as an on-field umpire and six as a TV umpire. Her latest appearance was in the Women’s Asia Cup final between India and Sri Lanka in Dambulla.

Starting her umpiring career in 2008, Imtiaz has steadily risen through the ranks, officiating in key tournaments like the 2022 Asia Cup and the 2023 ACC Emerging Women’s Cup. Now, her goal is to continue performing at the highest level and build her reputation as a respected official.

In other developments, Ahmed Shahab, Khalid Mehmood Sr., Rana Muhammad Arshad, and Qaiser Waheed have been promoted to the PCB Elite Panel of Umpires, with several others being elevated to the PCB Supplementary Panel.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is investing heavily in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy by sanctioning a significant budget for stadium upgrades. A total of Rs 385 crore has been allocated to ensure that three major stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi meet international standards for the tournament.

With the tournament approaching quickly, all three stadiums are undergoing extensive renovations. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is receiving the largest portion of the investment, with Rs 231 crore allocated for its upgrade. The renovations at this venue include the installation of new seating, replacement of 480 LED lights, and the addition of two giant LED screens.

The National Bank Stadium in Karachi and the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi are also undergoing significant improvements. These changes include new seating and updates to LED lights and boards. While the renovations at these venues are less extensive compared to the Gaddafi Stadium, they are still crucial for ensuring a top-notch experience for players and spectators.

The PCB is committed to delivering high-quality facilities for the ICC Champions Trophy and is making substantial efforts to meet the required standards. The investments are aimed at enhancing the overall experience for fans and players alike during the tournament.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started the hiring process for new coaches for the men’s cricket team, with a special focus on preparing for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This tournament will be the first ICC event held in Pakistan since the 1996 ODI World Cup.

Coaching Roles Open for Applications

• Positions Available:
  • The PCB is seeking a fielding coach, a mental performance coach, and a special skills coach specifically for white-ball cricket.
  • These roles are crucial as Pakistan gears up for the upcoming Champions Trophy, where they aim to perform at their best.
• Current Coaches:
  • Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten are already on board as head coaches for the Test and ODI-T20I teams, respectively. Tim Nielsen serves as the high-performance coach.
  • The fielding and mental performance coach roles were previously held by Simon Helmot and David Reid during the T20 World Cup, but these positions are now open.

Focus on Champions Trophy 2025

• Tournament Significance:
  • The Champions Trophy 2025 is a priority for the PCB as it marks Pakistan’s return to hosting a major ICC event after nearly three decades.
  • Renovations are underway at two of the three venues selected for the tournament, underscoring the board’s commitment to delivering a successful event.

Application Details

• Application Deadline:
  • Interested candidates for these coaching positions can submit their applications until September 4.

Pakistan Women’s Team

• Coaching Search:
  • The PCB is also in search of a permanent head coach for the Pakistan women’s cricket team.
  • Muhammad Wasim served as the interim head coach during the Women’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in June, but the board is now looking for a long-term solution.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has announced the formation of a six-member advisory board to help reform Pakistan cricket. The board will be led by former Pakistan cricketer Waqar Younis. Naqvi emphasized that this move is part of the effort to end the culture of personal likes and dislikes that has affected the game.

Waqar Younis to Lead the Advisory Board

• Advisory Board Details: The new board will include six members with Waqar Younis as the head. This decision comes in light of the various issues plaguing Pakistan cricket, including poor performances in World Cups, disciplinary problems, and allegations of favoritism in team selection.
• PCB Chief’s Statement: Mohsin Naqvi highlighted the need for bringing in former stars to improve the cricket system. “I am bringing in former stars to vet and improve the cricket system and end this culture of personal likes and dislikes,” Naqvi said on Monday.

Recent Developments in Pakistan Cricket

• Post-World Cup Changes: The shakeup in the PCB follows Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the recent ICC T20 World Cup. In response, Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq were removed from their posts as selectors due to controversies surrounding team selection.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises have called for a separate board to oversee the league, currently managed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This move aims to address the distinct challenges faced by the PSL, which differ from those of the PCB.

PSL Teams Tired of PCB

Frustration among PSL franchises has grown, particularly voiced by Quetta Gladiators’ owner Nadeem Omar. He pointed out the lack of communication with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, attributing it to Naqvi’s busy schedule. Omar believes a separate board would ensure more direct and efficient resolution of issues, leading to smoother operations for the PSL and its franchises.

Key Issues:

• Pending Dues: The PSL teams are still awaiting their revenue shares from PSL 2024. The delay is due to the PCB not receiving payments from various stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Payments: Significant amounts are pending from stakeholders, totaling:
  

  Amount (PKR)
  492,041,975
  184,837,822
  147,165,049
  41,503,740
  293,312,500

  Once these payments are cleared, each franchise is expected to receive PKR 52 crore 59 lakh 16 thousand 638.

PSL Franchises’ Standpoint:

• Separate Board Benefits: The franchises believe a dedicated board for the PSL would ensure better management and attention to the league’s unique challenges.
• Smoother Functioning: Direct communication and issue resolution would improve the efficiency and functioning of the PSL.

With increasing frustration and unresolved issues, the PSL franchises are pushing hard for a separate board to take charge of the league. This move aims to address their concerns and ensure the smooth operation and future success of the PSL.

The ICC is taken aback by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) lack of backup plans for India’s participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy. With the tournament scheduled for February-March 2025, the PCB has not yet addressed the possibility of India not traveling to Pakistan.

Currently, India’s participation hinges on government approval, which remains uncertain. The PCB has not prepared alternative plans, such as hosting India’s matches in a neutral location, despite the growing concerns.

India has expressed its preference for a hybrid model similar to the one used in the 2023 Asia Cup, indicating that they will not travel to Pakistan. If a satisfactory arrangement is not made, India may boycott the event.

The ICC had expected the PCB to make arrangements for a potential neutral venue but is disappointed by the lack of progress. Pakistan remains firm on hosting the entire tournament within its borders, leaving the situation unresolved as the event approaches.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has turned down the No Objection Certificate (NOC) requests from star players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi for the upcoming Global T20 Canada. The decision comes amid a packed international schedule for Pakistan cricket.

The PCB cited the busy cricket calendar between August 2024 and March 2025, which includes nine ICC World Test Championship matches and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The board emphasized the need for these players to remain focused and in peak physical condition for the upcoming series.

The Global T20 Canada, scheduled from July 25 to August 11, coincides with Pakistan’s international commitments, including a tour of Bangladesh starting August 21. Following this, Pakistan will face England, Australia, and other teams in a series of important fixtures.

In contrast, players such as Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Nawaz have been granted NOCs. These players are primarily involved in white-ball formats, and the PCB’s decision reflects its focus on managing workload and maintaining player readiness for key international matches.