Trust security agencies: Babar Azam angry at New Zealand team

• The abrupt cancellation of tour by New Zealand has taken entire Pakistan with shock including skipper Babar Azam. Fans had been waiting for the crisp and strong response from the cricketer.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 18: Skipper Babar Azam has strongly reacted to the cancellation of the Pakistan tour by the New Zealand cricket team just ahead of the first match of the series on Friday.

The abrupt cancellation has taken entire Pakistan with shock including skipper Babar Azam. Fans had been waiting for the crisp and strong response from the cricketer. Babar Azam voiced his disappointment and showed full confidence in the capabilities of Pakistan’s security agencies.

“Extremely disappointed on the abrupt postponement of the series, which could have brought the smiles back for millions of Pakistan Cricket Fans. I’ve full trust in the capabilities and credibility of our security agencies. They are our pride and always will be! Pakistan Zindabad!,” said Babar Azam in a tweet.

Disappointment in Pakistan

Massive reactions have been poured in on Twitter as Pakistani citizens from all over the world are strongly reacting and demanding an explanation from the New Zealand cricket board for abandoning the tour at the eleventh hour despite being given the highest security.

Cricketers, netizens, and government dignitaries have expressed their remorse over the sudden cancellation of the tour.

Netizens have shown full confidence in the efforts and services of the Pakistan Cricket Board to international teams in a bid to resume international cricket in Pakistan.

They are also expecting a strong response from the newly-sworn in PCB Chairman, Ramiz Raja.

Cricket fans were hoping to witness the cricket in full swing as other international teams were expected to visit Pakistan in the next few months.

The return of the New Zealand cricket team has made the tour of other international cricket teams of Pakistan uncertain. Fans have called it a major setback but are expressing solidarity with the security agencies of Pakistan.

However, a timely and expected response from skipper Babar Azam has won the hearts of cricket fans once again.

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COURTESY globalvillagespace

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Ramiz Raja elected new PCB chairman 'unanimously and unopposed'

LAHORE, SEPT 13: Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja on Monday became the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after being elected "unanimously and unopposed", according to a press release issued by the board.

A special meeting of the PCB's Board of Governors was held at the National High Performance Centre in Lahore to elect the cricketing body's 36th chairman.

Retired Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed conducted the election and presided over the special meeting.

“I am thankful to all of you for electing me as the PCB chairman and look forward to working with you to ensure Pakistan cricket continues to thrive and grow stronger, both on and off-the-field," Raja was quoted as telling the other board members in a PCB press release.

“One of my key focuses will be to help introduce in the Pakistan men’s cricket team the same culture, mindset, attitude and approach that once made Pakistan one of the most feared cricket playing nations.

As an organisation, we all need to get behind the national team and provide them the desired assistance and support so that they can produce that brand of cricket, which the fans also expect from them each time they step on to the field of play.

“Obviously, as a former cricketer, my other priority will be to look into the welfare of our past and present cricketers. The game has and will always be about the cricketers and, as such, they deserve more recognition and respect from their parent institution.”

The newly elected PCB chairman is expected to address a news conference later today (Monday).

Raja replaces Ehsan Mani, who completed his three-year tenure last month.

Ramiz and Asad Ali Khan were the two nominees of PCB’s patron-in-chief Prime Minister Imran Khan.

When he was in the opposition, PM Imran was against the policy of the PCB chairman being a prime minister's nominee. However, he nominated Mani as the chairman, and followed the same policy this time round by picking Asad and Ramiz.

Interestingly, Asad was also nominated last time along with Mani.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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In shock development, Misbah-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis resign from coaching jobs

LAHORE, SEPT 6 – With the 2021 T20 World Cup a little over a month away, Pakistan cricket received a major shock on Monday as their head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis resigned from their positions effective immediately.

Misbah, who had tested positive for Covid-19 at the conclusion of the team’s tour of the Caribbean last month and forced to quarantine in Jamaica, cited bio-secure bubbles as the reason behind his decision to quit.

As per a press release issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), he said: “The quarantine in Jamaica post the West Indies series provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the past 24 months as well as the schedule for international cricket ahead. Considering that I would have had to continue to spend considerable time away from my family and that too in a bio-secure environment, I have decided to step down from the role.

“I understand that the timing may not be ideal but I don’t think I am in the right frame of mind for the upcoming challenges and it makes sense for someone fresh to step in and take the side forward.

“The past 24 months have been thoroughly enjoyable and I want to thank my team and the management for their support. I wish the Pakistan cricket team best of luck in the upcoming events and will continue to support them every time they will take the field to represent Pakistan.”

Straightforward decision for me after Misbah shared plans: Younis

The PCB press release has Younis quoted as saying: “After Misbah shared with me his decision and future plans, it was a straightforward one for me to resign as we had walked into the roles together, had worked as a pair and now also step down together.

“Working with the Pakistan bowlers, including the youngsters, has been most satisfying as they have now started to show progress. Bio-secure environments in the past 16 months have had their impact, something we had never experienced during our playing days.

“The next eight months will be busy and exciting for the Pakistan team and, like in the past, I will continue to back and cheer them. I want to thank each and every member of the Pakistan cricket team set-up as we stayed united in good and bad days, and hope there will be more brighter days ahead.”

The pair still had a year each left in their contracts after being appointed in September 2019.

Offspin legend Saqlain Mushtaq, a part of the coaching setup at PCB’s High Performance Center, and former allrounder Abdul Razaq have been appointed as interim coaches for the New Zealand series

“With the New Zealand side due to arrive on September 11 for the three ODI and five T20I series and the Pakistan side to assemble in Islamabad on September 8, the PCB has appointed Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq as interim coaches for the series, with the team management for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 to be appointed in due course,” the PCB said.

Misbah, Younis deserve respect; replacements ready to step up: Wasim Khan

PCB chief executive Wasim Khan paid tribute to the outgoing coaches, saying: “Both Misbah and Waqar have given so much to Pakistan cricket over a long period of time and for that they deserve a huge amount of respect.”

He said their replacements were ready to “step up” and were looking forward to making important contributions in their coaching roles against New Zealand.

Misbah and Younis’ resignations came an hour or so after chief selector Mohamad Wasim named the national squad for next month’s T20 World Cup as well as the upcoming home series against New Zealand and England.

Their departure also coincide with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s nomination of Ramiz Raja as the next chairman of the cricket board. Raja had been critical of Misbah and his approach to the game in the past.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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Tokyo Paralympic Games conclude after thirteen days of serious competitions

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 4: After thirteen days of serious competitions with the Paralympians' best performance, The Tokyo Paralympics comes to a close tonight with the closing ceremony to be held at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium.

“Harmonious Cacophony”, the theme of the closing ceremony, is acknowledging diversity among people and transforming their difference into a shared unity.

Let’s welcome the Pakistani Paralympic team back home with a massive applause!

Ambassador MATSUDA Kuninori expressed his sincere gratitude to all concerned with the Tokyo Paralympic Games including athletes, coaches, the staff and their families and friends who have supported the Paralympics. 

The Ambassador also congratulated the Pakistani athletes for their performance, saying that “The commitment and hard work by those athletes is exemplary.  They have made their country proud especially the performance by Haidar Ali for achieving the Gold medal. 

This could be the defining moment in which we see Pakistan's athletes rising in the world of sport”.

We all wish Pakistani para-athletes well in the future Paralympic Games!

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Tokyo Paralympics: Ambassador MATSUDA greets Haider Ali in Discus throw

 

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 3: Ambassador MATSUDA Kuninori extends congratulations to Mr. Haider Ali, Pakistan’s premier para-athlete, for showing his great talent by winning the Gold Medal in the final of men’s Discus throw (F37) competition in the Tokyo Paralympics and conveys best wishes for his future endeavors.

“I am truly delighted to see Pakistani athlete’s success in the Tokyo Paralympics.  My sincere congratulations to Haider Ali, his family and the people of Pakistan for this amazing success to achieve the Gold Medal.  

I believe that you have made your country proud and won many hearts back home for your brilliant performance in the world’s mega event. ”, said the Ambassador.

Haider Ali secured the Gold Medal in men’s Discus throw (F37) with a throw of 55.26m, which also was his personal best score.

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