Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella and all-rounder Thisara Perera are not keen on traveling with the team to Pakistan for 3 ODIs and T20I series. Both players have sought permission for their participation in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which will be played from 4th of September, clashing with the dates on which the Sri Lankan team will be touring Pakistan.
The playoffs and final of fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held in Lahore while Karachi will host opening ceremony on February 20. A meeting between franchise owners and PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani concluded with decision to play the entire fifth season in Pakistan. Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Rawalpindi have been picked as four cities to host entire tournament.
Despite considerable improvement in security situation in Pakistan, some foreign cricketers have refused to play the entire fifth season of Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League in Pakistan. Reportedly, franchises want to hold half season of next year’s PSL5 in United Arab Emirates (UAE), since they feel that it is currently not feasible to hold entire edition in Pakistan.
In order to bring high fitness standards in Pakistan’s cricket team, Wasim Khan, the managing director of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has pledged to discourage the culture of Biryani and Daal Chawal in players’ diets. While speaking in a PTV Sports’ TV show, Khan said the board will hire qualified nutritionists to keep a close watch on cricketers’ daily diet.
According to reports by a local news channel, following Amir’s decision, Wahab Riaz has also decided to retire from Test cricket. The 34-year-old left-arm fast bowler, who is currently playing the Global T20 League in Canada is expected to formally announce the decision upon his return to Pakistan. Wahab’s decision, like Mohammad Amir, seems to be taken to prolong his limited-overs career.
Pakistan Super League (PSL)’s franchise Multan Sultans’ owner Ali Tareen has clarified on the issue regarding team’s annual franchise fee. Tareen said that the team was bought close to the start of HBL PSL4, which is why the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) asked them to pay a portion of the franchise fee upfront and the remainder after the tournament.
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans apparently participated in fourth season of HBL PSL without depositing mandatory franchise fee. Reportedly, the annual amount of $6.35 million, needs to be deposited before start of the season. However, four months having gone by and the Multan Consortium, led by Ali Khan Tareen has not made payment to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Pakistan opening batsman, Imam-ul-Haq, has expressed remorse and apologized to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following his scandal which surfaced on social media last week. The 23-year-old was accused of cheating and manipulating by a few girls, who posted objectionable screenshots of their conversations. Imam told the PCB the matter got out of hand due to a misunderstanding.
In order to extend maximum hospitality to Muslims, a Tokyo sports and cultural events organisation has launched initiative of Moving Mosques. A white and blue coloured 25-tonne truck that opens from back and doubles in width from side, will create enough room for 50 Muslims to pray. It also has a washing section where taps are positioned for cleansing purposes.
Pakistan’s ace bowler, Mohammad Amir has announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect. The bowler however, reaffirmed his commitment to playing white ball cricket for Pakistan. The 27-year-old cricketer shared that he was considering retirement from the format “for some time”, adding that it “has not been an easy decision to make”.