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PSL 9: PM Kakar asks PCB to organise matches across Pakistan

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  • PM says cricket plays important role in culminating national spirit.
  • Directed immediate restoration work for Quetta, Peshawar stadiums.
  • Stressed efficient elections of PCB Management Committee.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has directed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to devise a comprehensive strategy for organising the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 cricket matches nationwide, The News reported.

Chairing a meeting to discuss the board’s affairs on Monday, the premier was briefed by officials that the cricket league would be held in February 2024, with matches to be hosted in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan.

During the meeting, PM Kakar emphasised the need to keep the country’s interest and dignity at the forefront while appointing trainers, support staff and officials in the PCB.

He further directed that the elections of the board’s Management Committee should be conducted efficiently, highlighting that cricket played a crucial role in uniting the nation and enhancing national spirit.

The prime minister stressed that success in every field could only be achieved through teamwork, and the Pakistan cricket team could unite and accomplish great things. He also emphasised the need to promote the sport in remote areas of the country.

“There is immense cricket talent in Sindh, Balochistan, South Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, newly merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, that needed to be given a chance to be represented at the national level,” the premier said.

He directed PCB to immediately begin restoration work of Quetta’s Bugti Stadium and Peshawar’s Arbab-e Niaz Stadium to hold international cricket matches there.

He also suggested that Gwadar Cricket Stadium and Pissan Stadium in Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan, be adapted for cricket matches.

Kakar also directed the board to conduct an immediate survey of Pissan Stadium, adding that rehabilitation work of the existing cricket stadiums is started on an emergency basis.

In addition, he asked for a plan to be prepared for the establishment of new cricket stadiums equipped with modern facilities along with international standard hotels and shopping areas to promote tourism as well.

He also directed the handing over of the four cricket grounds in Islamabad to the PCB for the development of cricket. The meeting was told that Pakistan would host the Cricket Champions Trophy.

PM Kakar and meeting attendees were informed that the number of cricket associations in the country had increased from six to 16, which would highlight the regional talent. Additionally, construction of cricket infrastructure is underway in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Gujranwala, Peshawar and Bahawalpur.

Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, National Stadium Karachi and Multan Stadium are being converted to solar energy. The meeting was also apprised of the measures being taken for the promotion of women’s cricket in Pakistan.

Federal Minister for Privatisation Fawad Hasan Fawad, PCB Chairman Muhammad Zaka Ashraf Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer, Chief Selector Wahab Riaz and relevant government officials attended the meeting. PCB officials Muhammad Hafeez, Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal participated via video link from Australia.

Commenting on the meeting, former PCB member Shakil Shaikh took to X and lauded the PM for being “firm and principles”. Shakil said the PM met Zak Ashraf and told him to improve his performance or else. He refused to give him powers for long-term decisions. He told Zaka to hold elections immediately.

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Sajid Khan smashes Saqlain Mushtaq’s 24-year-old Test record in Pakistan vs England.

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In the opening Test match between Pakistan and England at the Multan Cricket Stadium, off-spinner Sajid Khan created history by taking seven wickets, shattering the 24-year-old record set by the late, great Saqlain Mushtaq.

Day three of the second Test saw England eliminated for 291 after seven wickets from Sajid Khan, trailing Pakistan’s first innings by 366 runs.

During the morning session, the 31-year-old off-spinner claimed three of the four wickets that fell, making it his second five-wicket haul of the day. England had resumed at 239-6 in Multan.

Remaining wicket-taker for Pakistan, with statistics of 3-101, was left-arm spinner Noman Ali.

Sajid Khan ended up being the first Pakistani off-spinner to take five or more wickets at home since Saqlain Mushtaq did it in 2000 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, taking seven wickets for 111 runs in 26.2 overs.

The scoreboard read 239-6 when England had already resumed their batting. At the crease were Jamie Smith (12) and Brydon Carse (2).

But in the morning, Sajid Khan replaced Carse after they could only add nine more runs. After reaching 21, Smith was caught by Noman, and the off-spinner quickly got rid of Matthew Potts (6).

Prior to Sajid finishing the batting, Jack Leach amassed a vital 25-run unbeaten innings. He and Shoaib Bashir (9) added 29 runs for the final wicket.

Noman grabbed three wickets at a cost of 101 runs, while Sajid took figures of 7-111.

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Second Test between Pakistan and England: Pakistan fights to 366/10 on day two

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Pakistan chose to bat in the second Test match between England and Pakistan in Multan, and by the second session on Day 2, they had amassed 358/9.

(123.3 ov) 366/10

Despite having a hip injury, Aamer Jamal made a significant contribution to the score alongside Noman Ali before being dismissed for 37 runs by Brydon Carse.

As Pakistan tries to extend their first innings score, Noman Ali, who is 29, is still undefeated. With three wickets for forty-three runs, Carse has been very effective. Spinner Shoaib Bashir has also taken a wicket.

The early England wicket burst and the solid 49-run stand between Jamal and Noman have kept the match evenly matched.

England’s goal in opening their batting innings will aim to remove the final Pakistani wicket as soon as possible.

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The PCB has issued a show-cause notice to Fakhar Zaman about a post about Babar Azam.

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The newly constituted selection committee on Sunday excluded Babar, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Sarfaraz Ahmed off the roster for the ongoing second and forthcoming third Test against England.

Subsequent to the announcement, Fakhar Zaman utilized his official X (previously Twitter) account to convey his disappointment. He referenced the manner in which India handled Virat Kohli throughout his challenging period from 2020 to 2023.

“It is troubling to receive proposals regarding the dismissal of Babar Azam.” Fakhar stated that India did not bench Virat Kohli during his challenging period from 2020 to 2023, when he recorded averages of 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively.

The left-handed batsman commended Babar, deeming him the greatest Pakistani batsman in history, while emphasizing the necessity of strategic decisions instead of resorting to panic.

“Sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the finest Pakistan has ever produced, may convey a profoundly negative message to the team.” There remains an opportunity to avert unnecessary alarm; our emphasis should be on protecting our pivotal actors rather than compromising them,” he stated.

Subsequently, the next day, the PCB issued a show-cause notice to Fakhar for violating the Code of Conduct. The cricket board has requested the dynamic batsman to reply to the notification by October 21.

The second Test between Pakistan and England is now in progress in Multan, while the third and final match of the series is scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi starting October 15.

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