The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that Bangladesh A and Sri Lanka A teams will tour Pakistan this year.
According to the PCB, Bangladesh A will tour Pakistan in August, followed by Sri Lanka A’s visit in November.Both teams will play two four-day matches and three one-day matches during their respective tours.The specific venues for these matches will be disclosed at a later date.
Currently, the Pakistan Shaheens are playing against Bangladesh A in Darwin, where they recently won the first four-day match by 148 runs.The second four-day match is set to begin on Friday.During their tour, Bangladesh A will play their first four-day match from August 10 to 13, and the second from August 17 to 20.
The three one-day matches are scheduled for August 23, 25, and 27.Sri Lanka A will arrive in November, with the first four-day match taking place from November 11 to 14, and the second from November 18 to 21.The one-day matches will be held on November 25, 27, and 29.
Additionally, the Pakistan Emerging Team will defend their title in the Asia Cup, scheduled for October, while the Under-19 team will compete in the Under-19 Asia Cup in November and December.
Meanwhile, Moeen Ali has voiced his disappointment regarding Naseem Shah’s unavailability for The Hundred tournament, emphasising that Shah was their top choice and his absence has disrupted the team’s balance.
Ali highlighted that Naseem Shah was expected to deliver exceptional performances, making his absence particularly notable. He expressed frustration that players should be able to participate in cricket tournaments if they do not have other obligations.
When asked about his potential participation in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year, Ali stated that it is too early to make predictions. However, he remains confident in the England team’s ability to contend for the title.
He mentioned that the 50-over format of the Champions Trophy might lead to the selection of younger players, but he is prepared to contribute if chosen. Regardless of his selection, Ali is committed to inspiring future generations of cricketers, finding fulfillment in motivating even a few young players.
Ali also shared a personal update about his son, Abu Bakr, a passionate 10-year-old cricketer. Abu Bakr, a left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, aspires to play for England one day, reflecting his father’s dedication to the sport.
It is important to note that Naseem Shah was not granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for participation in The Hundred League. Despite having a contract with Birmingham Phoenix valued at £125,000, the PCB denied the NOC due to concerns about workload management.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially confirmed its participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy, set to be hosted by Pakistan.
This announcement was made during the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) annual meeting currently taking place in Colombo, Sri Lanka where ACB Chairman Waiz Ashraf and CEO Naseeb Khan conveyed this decision in a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
During the discussions, the ACB officials assured their full commitment to sending the Afghan team to Pakistan for the prestigious tournament, dismissing recent rumours circulating on social media about potential security concerns.
“Our team will indeed travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025,” they emphasized, refuting the false reports comparing Afghanistan’s stance to India’s security concerns regarding participation.
