Test captain Shan Masood, who took charge late last year amid a tumultuous period for Pakistan cricket, is now under intense scrutiny as the Green Team prepares for a two-Test series against Bangladesh. This comes on the heels of a disappointing World Cup campaign. After a nine-month hiatus, Masood returns to the spotlight with Pakistan’s domestic Test scene having been overshadowed by a lackluster international calendar. This series marks his first Test assignment at home, presenting a seemingly straightforward challenge against Bangladesh, given Pakistan’s strong historical record. Pakistan has won 12 of the 13 Tests against Bangladesh, with the remaining…
Author: Hasnain Abid Khanzada
LAHORE: With just ten days remaining before the start of the Champions Cup, Pakistan’s premier one-day domestic cricket tournament, several crucial decisions regarding the event are still pending. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to finalize key aspects such as team selections, match schedules, coaching staff, mentors, and match officials for the September 1-29 tournament. The delay in these announcements is raising concerns about the management of the PCB under Mohsin Naqvi’s leadership. The PCB plans to appoint mentors for each of the five teams and a 10-member coaching staff. The application deadline for hiring mentors is August 22,…
BUENOS AIRES: Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been omitted from the squad announced by the Argentine FA for next month’s South American World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. The 37-year-old Messi is sidelined with an ankle injury sustained during last month’s Copa America final in the United States. He is currently in recovery at his club, Inter Miami. Argentina will host Chile at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on September 5, before traveling to Barranquilla to face Colombia on September 10.
BERLIN: Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan announced his retirement from international football on Monday, citing both physical and mental fatigue. In a statement shared on social media, Gundogan expressed his decision to end his national team career following his leadership role at Euro 2024. “After a few weeks of reflection, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to end my national team career,” he said. Gundogan, who made his debut for Germany in 2011, reflected on his international career with pride, noting, “I look back with great pride on 82 international matches for my home country—a number that…
DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Tuesday that this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be relocated from Bangladesh due to recent political unrest and violence in the country. The ninth edition of the tournament will now be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 3 to 20. The event will take place across two venues, Dubai and Sharjah, while the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will continue to be the host board. Bangladesh’s prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, fled the country earlier this month amid widespread protests, leading to the establishment of an interim government led…
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and chose to send Pakistan in to bat on the opening day of the first Test on Wednesday. The start of the match was delayed due to a wet outfield caused by overnight rain. Umpires Richard Kettleborough of England and Adrian Holdstock of South Africa conducted four ground inspections but found wet patches deemed unsafe for play. As a result, no play occurred before lunch, leading to a loss of 230 minutes and a reduction of the day’s play to 48 overs. The weather forecast for the entire five days of the…
Islamabad: The privatization process for three electricity distribution companies (Discos) officially began on Tuesday following a meeting chaired by the Privatization and Power Ministers. The Privatisation Commission has called for technical and financial proposals to appoint financial advisers for the privatization of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco), and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco). The meeting was jointly led by Privatisation Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari. Minister Aleem emphasized that the divestment of the Discos would proceed in phases, with a focus on maintaining transparency and addressing technical concerns.…
Islamabad: Pakistan has agreed in principle to revive the 1,124MW Kohala Hydropower Project (KHPP) and extend its completion deadline by three years, according to sources in the Planning Commission. The project, which had been stalled for three years, faced delays due to China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure) withholding insurance cover as Pakistani power companies had not settled over Rs550 billion in dues to Chinese independent power producers (IPPs). Additionally, concerns were raised over changes in land acquisition laws and environmental regulations by the Azad Kashmir government. Earlier this year, China Three Gorges Dam Corporation (CTG), the Chinese sponsor…
Karachi: The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has voiced concerns over the non-implementation of advance income tax (AIT) on non-filer retailers. The chamber attributes the issue to resistance from a significant portion of the retail sector, which is unwilling to comply with the tax system, leading to additional financial burdens on distributors and brand owner companies. In a letter to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, OICCI Chief Executive and Secretary General M Abdul Aleem urged the FBR and government to engage with stakeholders to alleviate concerns and enforce compliance with the law. The…
Islamabad: The Sectoral Council for Gems and Jewellery has emphasized the need to eliminate regulatory barriers to achieve the industry’s export targets. The council’s meeting, chaired by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, included discussions on key challenges facing the sector. Council Chairman Salman Hanif identified regulatory obstacles, notably amendments to SRO760, as significant impediments to industry growth. He stressed that addressing these issues would help unlock the sector’s full export potential. The council also discussed the necessity of reforms in banking channels and a clause-by-clause review of SRO 760. Minister Kamal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revitalizing Pakistan’s gems and jewellery…
