Pakistan

Age won’t determine when I retire, says Messi

Age won’t determine when I retire, says Messi

28/03/2024, Pakistan, Multi Sports, Pakistan Publications, Article # 31702145

MIAMI: Lionel Messi will not consider his age as a deciding factor in his retirement plans, the Argentine forward said, adding that he has no clear idea of what he will do when that time comes.

Messi, who played for 17 years at Barcelona before signing for Paris St Germain in 2021 and Inter Miami last year, will turn 37 in under three months but knows for sure that his age will not determine when it is time to hang up his boots.

“I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer performing, that I am no longer enjoying it or helping my teammates [I will retire],” Messi told the Big Time podcast in an interview published on Wednesday.

“I am very self-critical. I know when I am doing well, when I am not, when I play well and when I play poorly. When I feel it’s time to take that step, I will do it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I will try to continue competing because it’s what I like and what I know how to do.”

Asked whether he had started to think about what he does next, the record eight-time Ballon D’Or winner had no straight answer.

“I haven’t thought about it yet. For now, I try to enjoy each day, each moment, without thinking about the future. I don’t have anything clear yet,” Messi said. “I hope to keep playing for a while longer, because that’s what I enjoy. When the time comes, I will surely find the path to what fulfils me and what I like, and a new role.”

Messi missed Arge­ntina’s friendly victories against El Salvador and Costa Rica in the United States this month due to a ham­string injury.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2024



https://www.dawn.com/news/1824195/age-wont-determine-when-i-retire-says-messi
Pakistan suffer second-half meltdown in 7-0 thrashing by Jordan

Pakistan suffer second-half meltdown in 7-0 thrashing by Jordan

28/03/2024, Pakistan, Multi Sports, Pakistan Publications, Article # 31702216
AMMAN: Jordan’s Yazan Al Naimat shoots under pressure from Pakistan’s Harun Hamid during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Amman International Stadium.—courtesy Jordan Football Association
AMMAN: Jordan’s Yazan Al Naimat shoots under pressure from Pakistan’s Harun Hamid during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Amman International Stadium.—courtesy Jordan Football Association

AMMAN: Despite trailing Jordan 2-0, Pakistan had finished the first half at the Amman International Stadium strongly.

But then came the meltdown; the character and determination showed by Pakistan five days earlier against the same opponents dissipating by the minute as Stephen Constantine’s men went on to concede five unanswered goals against their hosts to suffer their heaviest loss so far in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign on Tuesday night.

Jordan’s 7-0 triumph took them into second spot in Group ‘G’, behind leaders Saudi Arabia, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Tajikistan, with Pakistan remaining rock-bottom.

Head coach Constantine has already stated that Pakistan’s first foray into the second round of World Cup qualifying is a chance for his players to prepare for the task ahead, when they drop into the third qualifying round for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Constantine had hoped his players would build upon their 3-0 loss at home to Jordan on Thursday but this performance takes them back to the drawing board.

Jordan, looking to rack up the goals, scored at will and could’ve had more; the loss amplifying Constantine’s insistence on a the national league to resume in Pakistan to allow his players regular competitive action.

Pakistan had conceded twice in the opening nine minutes in the reverse fixture and Jordan, playing the first game in front of their fans since their memorable run to the Asian Cup final last month, had to wait until the 15th minute to fire up a raucous home crowd.

Mousa Al Tamari, who ended up with a hat-trick, timed his run to perfection to get on the end of a delightful through ball by Ibrahim Sadeh before opening up his body to plant a left-foot shot past Yousuf Butt.

Jordan doubled their lead just before the hour mark when a surging Yaizan Al Naimat was brought down in the box. Yousuf guessed correctly from the resulting spot kick but Al Naimat’s shot had too much power.

Pakistan were playing on the counterattack and after Harun Hamid sent a shot over the bar six minutes before half-time, Imran Kayani came closest to reducing the deficit three minutes later when his shot whistled past the post.

But any hope of Pakistan carrying on the momentum into the second half were dashed when striker Fareedullah came off injured at half-time with tests later revealing he’d suffered a broken collarbone.

And seven minutes into the second period, they had fallen behind 3-0. After a corner kick was swung into the box, an attempted bicycle kick fell into the path of Saeed Al Rosan, who tucked it away.

Al Tamari headed in a rebound 10 minutes later to make it 4-0 and Jordan’s fifth arrived with a quarter of an hour remaining when Ali Olwan received a pass from Al Naimat inside the box and buried it.

After Al Tamari’s solo effort saw him get his third in the 79th, Mohammad Abu Zraiq completed Pakistan’s miserable night when he curled in a brilliant free-kick over the wall and into the corner of the net in the 82nd.

With the first two finishers in each of the nine groups advancing to the third round of the continent’s qualifiers for the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States, 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia moved to the brink of qualification after their draw in Tajikistan.

The Saudis would have qualified with a win in Dushanbe but moved to 10 points from four games with matches against Pakistan and Jordan to come in June.

Firas Al Buraikan put the Saudis ahead in the 46th minute but Rustam Soirov’s equaliser 10 minutes from time delayed the celebrations for Roberto Mancini’s Gulf side.

QATAR, IRAN PROGRESS

In other late action on Tuesday, Asian champions Qatar, Iran, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates secured progress to the next round.

Qatar defeated Kuwait 2-1 thanks to a late double from Almoez Ali, staying comfortably top of Group ‘A’ with four wins from four matches and with a place in the next round wrapped up.

In the same section, Afghanistan kept alive their chances of going through in second place with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over India.

Uzbekistan also confirmed their place in the third round with a 3-0 win over Hong Kong in Tashkent, with goals from Eldor Shomurodov, Hojimat Erkinov and Oston Urunov ensuring they would take one of the two berths available in Group ‘E’.

They will be joined in the next round from the group by Iran, with both nations on 10 points after Mehdi Ghayedi headed in the only goal in first-half stoppage time from Mehdi Taremi’s cross in a 1-0 win against Turkmenistan in Ashgabat.

Fabio Lima netted a brace to take the UAE through from Group ‘H’ having defeated Yemen 3-0 in the Saudi Arabian city of Khobar as Bahrain strengthened their grip on second place with a 3-0 victory over Nepal.

Kyrgyzstan and Oman are locked together on nine points at the top of Group ‘D’ after Kyrgyzstan eased to a 5-1 win over visitors Taiwan and the Omanis won 2-0 against hosts Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

Syria demolished Myanmar 7-0 with Omar Khrbin scoring a hat-trick to move to within two points of Group ‘B’ leaders Japan, whose meeting with North Korea was cancelled when the secretive state said last week it would not host the meeting with Hajime Moriyasu’s side in Pyongyang.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2024



https://www.dawn.com/news/1824194/pakistan-suffer-second-half-meltdown-in-7-0-thrashing-by-jordan
Sunrisers Hyderabad post highest-ever Indian Premier League total of 277-3

Sunrisers Hyderabad post highest-ever Indian Premier League total of 277-3

28/03/2024, Pakistan, Multi Sports, Pakistan Publications, Article # 31701466

Sunrisers Hyderabad posted 277-3 for the highest-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) total in a match against Mumbai Indians with Heinrich Klaasen unbeaten on 80 off 34 balls on Wednesday.

Australia’s Travis Head hit a 24-ball 62 to lead the batting assault after Hyderabad batted first and went past the previous IPL best of 263-5 by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2013.

Head, dropped on five by Tim David off skipper Hardik Pandya, got his fifty in 18 balls and after his departure, Abhishek Sharma reached his half-century in 16.

The team’s 100 came up in just seven overs and Hyderabad, led by Australia’s World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins, posted the tournament’s highest-ever total in the first 10 overs of 148-2.

Abhishek fell for 63 off 23 balls but there was no respite for the bowlers who were at the receiving end of some punishing batting.

It was raining sixes with 18 hits over the fence in 20 overs of Hyderabad’s innings as the South African pair of Klaasen and Aiden Markram, who hit 42, posted an unbeaten stand of 116.

Mumbai’s South African import Kwena Maphaka had a bruising introduction to IPL when the 17-year-old left-arm quick went for 66 runs in his four overs.

Five-time winners Mumbai, who had a change in captaincy after Pandya took over from the experienced Rohit Sharma, and Hyderabad started this edition with a loss each.

The match is Rohit’s 200th in the lucrative T20 tournament where the Indian captain has led Mumbai to all five titles.



https://www.dawn.com/news/1824122/sunrisers-hyderabad-post-highest-ever-indian-premier-league-total-of-277-3
ICC delegation calls on PCB Chairman Naqvi to discuss Champions Trophy arrangements

ICC delegation calls on PCB Chairman Naqvi to discuss Champions Trophy arrangements

28/03/2024, Pakistan, Multi Sports, Pakistan Publications, Article # 31701217

An International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation visiting Pakistan to inspect venues and facilities for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 called on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday.

Pakistan signed the hosting rights agreement with the ICC in December to hold the tournament. There had been doubts about whether Pakistan would stay as the host country for the Champions Trophy after India had forced the PCB into hosting most of the matches of September’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

It will be the first major global cricket tournament to be played in Pakistan since 1996 when it hosted the Men’s Cricket World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka.

According to a press release issued by the board today, the meeting discussed the “lead-up to and successful conduct” of the event next year.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said it is an absolute pleasure and welcome development for the board and the fans across the country.

“The PCB will arrange top-notch facilities as per the stature of this historic tournament,” he was quoted as saying in the press release.

“I am delighted to announce that the PCB will upgrade the three major venues in the country well in time before the start of ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” he said, adding that the board will leave no stone unturned in their attempts to make the tournament a successful and memorable one.

The delegation led by ICC’s Head of Events Chris Tetley included Senior Manager of event operations at ICC Sarah Edgar and the Manager of event operations, Aun Zaidi.

The meeting was also attended by COO PCB Salman Naseer and Director International Cricket PCB Usman Wahla including other PCB officials.



https://www.dawn.com/news/1824120/icc-delegation-calls-on-pcb-chairman-naqvi-to-discuss-champions-trophy-arrangements
Five-star Iraq, Australia progress in Asian World Cup qualifying

Five-star Iraq, Australia progress in Asian World Cup qualifying

27/03/2024, Pakistan, Multi Sports, Pakistan Publications, Article # 31700423

HONG KONG: Iraq and Australia were in rampant goalscoring form on Tuesday as they both cruised into the third round of Asia’s 2026 World Cup preliminaries wins against the Philippines and Lebanon respectively, while Son Heung-min’s South Korea are on the brink of joining them after beating Thailand.

Australia handed out a 5-0 drubbing to Lebanon in Canberra in Group ‘I’ while Iraq progressed from Group ‘F’ after brushing aside the Philippines by the same score in Manila.

In Group ‘C’, Son scored as South Korea look favourites to go through after a 3-0 win against Thailand in Bangkok, while China got their qualifying hopes back on track with a 4-1 win against Singapore.

Park Jin-seob and Lee Jae-sun joined the Tottenham Hotspur star on the scoresheet and South Korea now need only a draw in Singapore in June to go through.

The Iraqis notched up their fourth victory in a row to advance as Jesus Casas’ side thumped the Philippines, ranked 139th in the world.

Aymen Hussein scored twice in the first half, either side of a goal from Amir Ali Ammari, while former Manch­ester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal and Zayed Tahseen were on target in the 61st and 77th minutes respectively.

The win moves Iraq onto 12 points in Group ‘F’, nine clear of third-placed Vietnam, who suffered a damaging 3-0 loss in Hanoi against Indonesia.

 MANILA: Iraq’s Zaid Tahseen Hantoosh (top) vies for the ball with Jens Sebastian Rasmussen of the Philippines during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.—AFP
MANILA: Iraq’s Zaid Tahseen Hantoosh (top) vies for the ball with Jens Sebastian Rasmussen of the Philippines during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.—AFP

That result strengthens Indonesia’s hopes of a place in the next round as Shin Tae-yong’s team consolidate their hold on second place in the group ahead of the Vietnamese with two games remaining.

Jay Noah Idzes gave the visitors the lead in the ninth minute and further goals from Rangar Oratmangoen and Muha­m­mad Sananta sealed a key success for the South East Asians.

The top two finishers in each of the nine groups advance to the next round of qualifying, which will see 18 teams battle for Asia’s eight guaranteed berths at the first-ever 48-team World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States in 2026.

Australia’s Craig Goodwin led his side to a fourth straight qualifying victory with two goals in a man-of-the-match performance, together with strikes from Kusini Yengi, John Iredale and an own goal.

“When I knew Craig Goo­dwin younger, he didn’t believe in himself like he does these days,” Australia coach Graham Arnold said of the 32-year-old, who also created the opener for Yengi and whose free-kick led to the own goal.

“He’s a top-quality player, but he’s a fantastic person and a great leader. His delivery, set pieces, is fantastic and his finishing, it’s just got better and better as he gets older.”

With less than two minutes on the clock, the impressive Goodwin crossed from the left for Yengi to score his first goal for Australia from close range.

Australia put the game beyond Lebanon in the first three minutes of the second half. Bassel Jradi knocked in an own goal following a corner and Goodwin fired home a third.

John Iredale came off the bench to make it 4-0 midway through the second half with his first international goal, and Goodwin added his second and Australia’s fifth with nine minutes remaining thanks to an Iredale assist.

Palestine, their supporters in Gaza reeling from the Israel-Hamas war, gave themselves a great chance of going through with Australia by beating Bangladesh 1-0 in Dhaka.

Michel Termanini scored two minutes after Amid Mahajna’s 92nd minute sending off for a second yellow card to move the Palestinians five points ahead of third-placed Lebanon.

Palestine just need a draw with Lebanon in their next match in June to guarantee their progress from Group ‘I’.

SOUTH KOREA WIN

The South Koreans, meanwhile, put Thursday’s disappointing draw with Thailand in Seoul behind them in the return clash in Bangkok.

Lee bundled his effort over the goal line in the 19th minute following Cho Gue-sung’s centre and Son doubled the lead nine minutes after the interval from Lee Kang-in’s incisive pass.

Park completed the win eight minutes from time with a close-range volley after Kim Min-jae had headed Kim Jin-su’s cross into his path.

China moved into second in the group after hammering Singapore, with new captain Wu Lei scoring twice in Tianjin to take Branko Ivankovic’s side onto seven points from four games, three ahead of the third-placed Thais.

Wu took over the armband from Zhang Linpeng who was left out of the starting line-up by coach Ivankovic.

Zhang had quit the national side after China threw away a two-goal lead in the 2-2 draw in Singapore last week, only to make an abrupt U-turn.

Wu put China ahead in the 21st minute, running on to Zhang Yuning’s through ball before deftly chipping the onrushing Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny.

But the lead lasted only seconds as Singapore broke down the right straight from the res­tart with Ryhan Stewart crossing for Faris Ramli to power a header past Wang Dalei.

Fei Nanduo restored the lead from the penalty spot on 65 minutes.

China finished the match with 10 men after Li Yuanyi was given a straight red card for a foul in the 79th minute.

But Wu cut in from the left and lashed home five minutes from time before Wei Shihao scored the fourth.

The North Korea-Japan qualifier in Pyongyang was canceled by FIFA after Korea said it couldn’t host the game.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2024



https://www.dawn.com/news/1823934/five-star-iraq-australia-progress-in-asian-world-cup-qualifying
PTV acquires  non-exclusive rights of six ICC events

PTV acquires non-exclusive rights of six ICC events

27/03/2024, Pakistan, Multi Sports, Pakistan Publications, Article # 31700425

LAHORE: The Paki­stan Television (PTV) Corporation on Tuesday acquired the non-exclusive rights in Pakistan for six men’s and women’s ICC events to be held in 2024 to 2025.

Interestingly, the PTV did not show any interest to buy the livestreaming or broadcasting rights of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2024 and 2025 from A Sports TV channel recently. The PSL is the country’s flagship Twenty20 event.

“The Pakistan Telev­ision Corporation (PTVC) and Tower Sports [wholly owned subsidiary of Hum Network Limited] have secured non-exclusive rights in Pakistan,” a press release issued by the ICC stated on Tuesday.

“The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced that ICC cricket rights up until the end of 2025 have been awarded to the PTVC and Tower Sports [landing rights licence holder of Ten Sports Pakistan] in Pakistan.

“The PTVC and Tower Sports have secured non-exclusive rights for six men’s and women’s ICC World events up until the end of 2025. Both parties, alongside TV rights, will also have digital rights as part of the package which fans across Pakistan will be able to enjoy,” the ICC statement added.

“The events covered in both [the] deals include the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, World Test Championship Final 2025 and Women’s World Cup 2025,” the statement further said.

Commenting on the development, ICC chief Executive Geoff Allardice said that Pakistan is a major market and host for global cricket.

“We are delighted to welcome the PTVC and Tower Sports into our portfolio of broadcast partners for the next two years. Pakistan is a very important market for world cricket with a large and passionate fan base and we are thrilled to be able to take ICC events to more people in the country,” he said.

PTV managing director Sayyed Mubashar Tauqir Shah expressed his delight at the development.

“Securing [the] rights to ICC world events for another two years represents a significant milestone for PTVC. We are thrilled to bring ICC World Cups to the homes of millions of fans across Pakistan.

This underpins our unwavering commitment to delivering premium sports content and engaging with cricket fans across the country,” Mubashar said.

CEO Hum Network Duraid Qureshi said: “Tower Sports is proud to announce its latest triumph in securing the rights to broadcast world cricket, reaffirming our commitment to deliver unparalleled sports entertainment to fans in Pakistan. With this exciting development, we can’t wait to bring the thrill and excitement of ICC World Cups directly to the screens of fans across Pakistan.”

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2024



https://www.dawn.com/news/1823935/ptv-acquires-non-exclusive-rights-of-six-icc-events
Bangladesh lawmaker Shakib recalled for second SL Test

Bangladesh lawmaker Shakib recalled for second SL Test

27/03/2024, Pakistan, Multi Sports, Pakistan Publications, Article # 31700426

DHAKA: Newly elected lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan was on Tuesday recalled to the Bangladesh squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka.

The former captain, an all-rounder, successfully stood for the ruling Awami League during general elections in January.

He has not played for Bangladesh since the end of the 50-over World Cup in November and his last Test was in April 2023, against Ireland.

On top of his parliamentary duties, Shakib has been playing in the 50-over Dhaka Premier League this month.

Shakib’s inclusion by the Bangladesh Cricket Board followed a 328-run thrashing in the opening Test in Sylhet on Monday, with the hosts failing to post 200 runs in either innings.

Batsman Towhid Hridoy, 23, who has yet to make his five-day debut, made way for Shakib in the squad after being left out of the first Test playing side.

Uncapped Mushfik Hasan has been ruled out of the second and final Test because of an ankle injury and was replaced by fellow pacer Hasan Mahmud.

Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2024



https://www.dawn.com/news/1823933/bangladesh-lawmaker-shakib-recalled-for-second-sl-test
Ten years from home World Cup, Saudi Arabia sizes up ‘huge challenge’

Ten years from home World Cup, Saudi Arabia sizes up ‘huge challenge’

27/03/2024, Pakistan, Multi Sports, Pakistan Publications, Article # 31700424

RIYADH: A decade before it hosts football’s World Cup, the size of the task facing Saudi Arabia is becoming apparent, includingbuilding stadiums, hotels and transport links.

As the only bidder, Saudi Arabia was anointed host of the 2034 World Cup last October by FIFA.

Infrastructure is the initial concern for the oil-rich kingdom, which is snapping up high-profile sports events in an attempt to sweep away its conservative image and entice foreign investment.

Despite its oil riches, the world’s biggest crude exporter has much on its plate. It has committed to several other giant projects — including NEOM, a $500 billion, futuristic new city — as part of de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

To host the 48-team World Cup, the country needs 14 all-seater stadiums capable of holding at least 40,000 people, according to the bid document.

It currently has two: Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Riyadh’s venerable King Fahd International Stadium, which is undergoing a major refit.

Saudi Arabia has a well-established and popular football league but among its 30-plus stadiums, many are old, small and have pitches surrounded by athletics tracks, a design that has long gone out of vogue.

“We still have 10 full years ahead of us that will see the state of stadiums in Saudi Arabia change radically,” a Saudi Football Federation official told AFP.

“It is a huge challenge, but we will overcome it,” the official said on condition of anonymity, because he was not authorised to speak to media.

By the time the World Cup kicks off, the desert country of 32 million will have hosted the 2027 Asian Cup and even the 2029 Asian Winter Games, a decision that was panned by environmentalists.

In 2034, the same year as the World Cup, Riyadh will host the Asian Games — a two-week tournament with more events than the Summer Olympics and a similar number of athletes.

Saudi Arabia, where alcohol is banned, became the sole bidders for 2034 a year after gas-wealthy neighbour Qatar hosted the Middle East’s first World Cup at an eye-watering cost of $220 billion, including related infrastructure.

The Saudis, frequently accused of “sportswashing”, can expect the same criticism over women’s rights, laws against homosexuality and migrant labour that was faced by Qatari organisers.

As the 2027 Asian Cup looms, work has started not just on the King Fahd International Stadium refit but also on a new clifftop venue in Qiddiya, a mega-project outside the capital, and another stadium in the eastern city of Dammam.

All of them are scheduled to open in 2026.

Authorities are planning another in Diriyah, former base of the Al Saud royal dynasty, with its design already approved, according to a Saudi official.

The sports ministry is preparing to issue tenders worth 10 billion riyals ($2.69 billion) to build and expand football venues, according to domestic media.

World Cup games are planned for Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Abha along with Qiddiya and NEOM, both cornerstones of Prince Mohammed’s Vision 2030 and under construction.

Saudi is going to need more than just stadiums, said architect Hussein Mahran.

“Factors such as accommodation and public transportation inside cities and between cities still need development,” he told AFP in Riyadh last month, at a conference on stadium design and engineering.

“But it is clear that the kingdom is moving strongly on this path,” he added.

Summer in a country where temperatures top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) daily can make any outdoor activity hazardous, risking dehydration, heat stroke and heart failure.

However, Yasser Al Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, last year told AFP that he is open to a summer or winter World Cup.

Radwan Darwish of Saudi’s GreenAire cooling company said his firm has applied for contracts to cool three existing stadiums used for the Saudi Pro League, which has started a campaign to attract top international players and has already lured stars including Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

“Trying to transfer Europe’s success in the world of football to the kingdom is difficult, realistically without adapting all the stadiums,” Darwish told AFP, given the intense heat.

One of the biggest tasks is upgrading the Saudi workforce to run a successful World Cup.

Stadiums need event managers, security, ticketing staff, cleaners and food and beverage teams.

Lee Collier of the STRI consultancy group called it a “significant challenge” to “upskill and create a sufficient number of people to be able to manage these venues”.

While Saudi has the petro-dollars to import such expertise, it also has a mission to develop Saudi talent, Collier said.

“The journey is not easy at all,” said Sophocles Sophocleous, who represents a hybrid grass firm. “But what grants hope is the commitment at the very top in helping Saudi Arabia achieve this goal — and the financial capital, of course.”

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2024



https://www.dawn.com/news/1823932/ten-years-from-home-world-cup-saudi-arabia-sizes-up-huge-challenge
Pakistan to tour Australia in November to play 3 ODIs, T20Is

Pakistan to tour Australia in November to play 3 ODIs, T20Is

26/03/2024, Pakistan, Multi Sports, Pakistan Publications, Article # 31698731

The Pakistan cricket team is set to visit Australia for a white-ball series scheduled for November this year as Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday released its international schedule for the 2024-25 season.

In a press release, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the tour — which will mark the start of Australia’s white-ball schedule for the summer of 2024-25 — would comprise six games in total.

It said that three one-day internationals (ODIs) and as many T20Is will be played across six venues from November 4 to 18.

“Pakistan will be returning to Australia after a gap of almost one year, after having competed in the Benaud-Qadir Trophy which comprised three Test matches played across Perth, Sydney and Melbourne in December 2023-January 2024,” the PCB said.

The cricket board further said that the ODI series would begin on November 4 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before moving to Adelaide and Perth on November 8 and 10, respectively.

Pakistan last played an ODI series on Australian soil back in 2016, which saw the home side come out on top, the PCB said.

Subsequently, Pakistan and Australia will face each face-off in the three T20Is. Pakistan’s last T20I outing on Australian soil was back in 2022, wherein the men in green appeared in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

“The series will start at The Gabba in Brisbane. Action will then move to the Sydney Cricket Ground; Pakistan’s last T20I at the venue saw them beat New Zealand at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final. Hobart will be the last stop on the tour, where the final T20I will be played on November 18,” the PCB said.

Australia-India Test series

Meanwhile, CA also announced that Perth will host the first match of a blockbuster five-Test series against India from November 22.

The series will then move to Adelaide for a day-night Test and then Brisbane’s Gabba, which traditionally was the opening venue of Australia’s Test summer.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground will stage the Boxing Day Test and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will wrap up at Sydney Cricket Ground starting on January 3.

CA chief executive Nick Hockley called it “one of the most highly anticipated summers of cricket in memory”.

“Fittingly, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been put on the same footing as the (men’s) Ashes with a five-Test series for the first time since 1991-92,” he said.

Australia have not beaten India in a home series since 2014-2015.

The hosts have, however, won all four previous Tests at Perth Stadium.

“We’re confident the schedule will maximise viewership and attendance and there will be a tremendous atmosphere in stadiums across the country,” said Hockley.



https://www.dawn.com/news/1823893/pakistan-to-tour-australia-in-november-to-play-3-odis-t20is
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