(Source X)
Following the national cricket team’s disappointing performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued firm directives to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Sharif has emphasized the need for selecting players and officials based on merit.
Under Babar Azam’s leadership, Pakistan failed to progress beyond the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2024. They lost their opening matches to the United States and India but secured victories in their final two games, which was insufficient for advancing further in the tournament.
As Pakistan gears up for their upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting on August 21, this will be their first series since the T20 World Cup. The selection committee has yet to announce the squad for the series, and it is anticipated that Shaheen Shah Afridi will be unavailable for these matches.
You Should Reform The Cricket Team – Shehbaz Sharif
At a ceremony held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Shehbaz Sharif directed Mohsin Naqvi to overhaul the cricket team by prioritizing merit-based selections. Sharif emphasized that the selection process should remain free from political or external influences.
“You should reform the cricket team and choose people based on merit, which is your specialty,” Shehbaz Sharif told Naqvi, quoted Cricket Pakistan.
“Even if the prime minister recommends someone which goes against merit, you should politely decline it,” he further added.
The report also noted that the Prime Minister stressed the importance of enhancing the domestic cricket infrastructure. He expressed satisfaction with the ongoing modernization of Gaddafi Stadium, highlighting that the upgrades will align with contemporary standards.
Demolition work at Gaddafi Stadium was finished in June. The renovation plans include relocating the main building nearer to the box area, positioning hospitality boxes at the front and PCB offices at the rear. Additionally, the stadium will see expanded enclosures on both sides. These modifications are part of preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025.
Pakistan To Host Champions Trophy 2025
The 2025 Champions Trophy is set to take place in Pakistan from February to March next year, with matches spread across three venues. The tournament will feature eight teams: Pakistan, India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, England, and Bangladesh.
The matches will be held in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. According to the PCB’s proposed schedule submitted to the ICC, all of India’s games are planned to be played in Lahore.
The PCB has allocated PKR 12.80 billion for the renovation of key venues, including Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi, and Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium.
Despite the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressing reservations about traveling to Pakistan, the PCB aims to host the entire tournament within the country. The event will run from February 19 to March 9, 2025, marking the first Champions Trophy since 2017, when Pakistan clinched the title against India.
