The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that Kookaburra cricket balls will be used for their upcoming seven home Test matches in the ICC World Test Championship. This decision will affect the two Tests against Bangladesh, three against England, and two against the West Indies. According to ICC World Test Championship regulations, home boards have the discretion to choose the cricket ball brand used during matches. The PCB’s choice of Kookaburra aims to leverage this rule to potentially enhance Pakistan’s performance in these critical fixtures.

PCB opts for Kookaburra balls for home WTC Tests and Dukes for domestic cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has chosen Kookaburra balls for the upcoming home Test matches to align with international standards, as Kookaburra is a widely used brand in global Test cricket. With the domestic season in Pakistan starting next month, the PCB has made a notable decision to enhance the standard of play by adopting different types of cricket balls. For senior red-ball domestic games, Duke balls will be used, specifically tailored to Pakistan’s pitch conditions. In youth and development tournaments, including Under-13, Under-17, and Under-19 competitions, as well as school and club matches, Aceline and Grays balls will be utilized. This approach is based on a thorough evaluation of domestic grounds and pitch conditions, aiming to help young cricketers develop their skills with balls suited to local conditions. For white-ball formats such as 50-over and T20 matches, the PCB will continue using Kookaburra balls, ensuring consistency with global practices. The PCB believes that this strategic choice will help prepare pitches effectively for the 2024-25 season, supporting both international standards and domestic cricket development.

PCB’s new chief curator Tony Hemming to elevate pitch standards across Pakistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recently appointed Tony Hemming as Chief Curator to enhance the quality of play in the upcoming domestic season. Hemming’s role will involve designing pitches that cater to various formats and conditions, aiming to create a balanced contest between bat and ball. He will also train and mentor local curators to maintain high pitch standards across Pakistan’s regions and districts. The PCB hopes these initiatives will make the cricket season more competitive and entertaining, both domestically and internationally.

Currently, the Pakistan team is preparing for a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on August 21 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second Test is expected to be held at the same venue from August 30. Renovation work is also ongoing at Karachi’s National Cricket Stadium.