Pakistan News World

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to make major changes to national cricketers’ central contracts ahead of the new contract cycle beginning from July 1. According to the sources, the current financial model for central contracts will expire on June 30. The three-year financial structure was introduced in 2023 during former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf’s tenure and has remained unchanged under current chairman, Mohsin Naqvi. The sources said preliminary discussions regarding new central contracts are underway, while the final decision on the financial model will be taken by PCB Chairman Naqvi. Last year, the PCB awarded central contracts to 30 cricketers, with no player included in Category A for the first time. The new contracts are expected to feature large-scale changes based on players’ fitness and performances, with several cricketers likely to face promotion or demotion in categories. The sources added that the chances of Mohammad Nawaz, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, H...

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday that physical ticket sales for the Pakistan-Australia ODI series will begin on May 22. Online tickets will also go on sale the same day via pcb.tcs.com.pk from 1pm onwards. The ODI series will begin on Saturday, May 30, with the opening match scheduled at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second and third ODIs will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on June 2 and 4, respectively. All matches will start at 4:30pm local time. Physical tickets will be available at 16 TCS Express Centres across three cities: eight in Lahore, five in Rawalpindi, and three in Islamabad. The PCB aims to ensure maximum fan attendance by keeping ticket prices affordable across all categories. General enclosure tickets will be priced at Rs200, first-class enclosures at Rs300, premium tickets at Rs400, and VIP tickets at Rs500. For the Rawalpindi fixture, VIP gallery seats will be available at Rs1,500. At Gaddafi Stadium, VIP enclosures at th...

Pakistan secured a record 153-run victory over Zimbabwe following Ayesha Zafar's unbeaten century and Fatima Sana's three wickets during the first T20I at Karachi's National Bank Stadium on Tuesday. Set to chase a daunting 238-run target, the touring side could accumulate 84 before getting bowled out in 18.2 overs and thus registered their third-lowest total in the format. Right-handed batter Natasha Mtomba remained the top-scorer for Zimbabwe with her 20-ball 24, while Adel Zimunu (18) and Beloved Biza (10) were the only other batters to breach double figures against the disciplined Pakistan bowling attack. Captain Fatima spearheaded Pakistan's bowling charge with economical figures of 3/7 in her three overs, followed by Sadia Iqbal and Natalia Pervaiz with two scalps each, while Rameen Shamim chipped in with one. Opting to bat first, the home side piled up 237/5 in their 20 overs, which was their highest in the format, surpassing the previous best of 181/4, which ...

Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 104 runs in the first match of the two-Test series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Tuesday. Resuming the final session at 116-3, Pakistan were bowled out for 163 in 52.5 overs while chasing Bangladesh's 268-run target courtesy of an exceptional five-wicket haul by Nahid Rana. The visitors suffered an early setback when Taskin Ahmed struck in the opening over, removing Imam-ul-Haq for just two runs off five deliveries. Despite the early blow, Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal steadied the innings with a crucial 50-run partnership for the second wicket, easing pressure and rebuilding momentum. However, the stand ended at 54 when Azan was dismissed for 15 off 33 balls after striking one boundary off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, leaving Pakistan struggling at 57-2 in 12.1 overs. The situation worsened soon after when Nahid Rana removed skipper Shan Masood cheaply for two runs off five balls. Taijul Islam struck early and got rid o...

Star batter Babar Azam is unavailable for Pakistan's opening Test against Bangladesh due to an injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Thursday. According to the cricket board, the 31-year-old suffered an injury to his left knee and thus will not be available for the series opener, scheduled to be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka, from May 8 to 12. The PCB further shared that the team's medical panel was currently assessing the batter's condition, with further updates regarding his fitness will be shared in due course. "Pakistan batter Babar Azam will not be available for the first Test match against Bangladesh due to an injury in his left knee," the PCB said in a statement. "The team's medical panel is currently assessing his condition. Further updates will be shared in due course," it added. Babar's unavailability for the upcoming fixture serves as a major blow for the touring side, as the right-h...

Australian cricket star David Warner will "accept responsibility" for drink-driving, his lawyer told reporters on Thursday after a Sydney court hearing. The 39-year-old faces a "middle-range" drink-driving charge, court documents showed, after allegedly being more than twice the legal limit in Sydney in April. Warner — one of Australia's best-known sportsmen — is accused of being at the wheel of a van and stopping short of a random testing site, before being breath-tested, arrested and taken to a police station. "I can indicate that David will be accepting responsibility for drink-driving," defence lawyer Bobby Hill told reporters outside court, according to public broadcaster ABC. "So many of us make those poor decisions. I think what's important is accepting and being accountable for those poor decisions," he said. Warner's lawyer argued that the case showed the risk people take when trying to assess whether they have drunk too...