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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam and International Cricket Council (ICC) Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday as talks continued over Pakistan&rsquo;s refusal to play India in the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup 2026.&nbsp;The meeting was week after the Pakistan government formally announced that the national team would participate in the tournament but would not take the field against India in the February 15 Group A match in Colombo.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled for February 15, 2026, against India,&rdquo; the government said in a statement posted on its official X account.&nbsp;Pakistan opened their World Cup campaign with a victory over the Netherlands on February 7.&nbsp;According to sources, the ICC delegation led by Khwaja arrived in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore around 4 pm to meet PCB leadership and senior officials in an effort to find a way forward. Aminul Islam&rsquo;s presence in the discussions highlighted broader regional concerns surrounding the tournament.&nbsp;The ICC has urged the Pakistan board to reconsider its position. &ldquo;We hope the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications of this decision and explore a mutually acceptable resolution that protects the interests of all stakeholders,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;The controversy follows an earlier disruption to the tournament after Bangladesh refused to play matches in India over security concerns. The ICC subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after rejecting Dhaka&rsquo;s request to relocate its fixtures to co-host Sri Lanka.

Cricket

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam and International Cricket Council (ICC) Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday as talks continued over Pakistan’s refusal to play India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Pakistan, Bangladesh chiefs meet ICC official over India T20 World Cup match

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday rejected Indian media reports claiming it had written to the International Cricket Council to invoke force majeure regarding a boycott of India-Pakistan matches.&nbsp;A PCB spokesperson said the board had neither sent any formal communication to the ICC on invoking force majeure nor received any response from the global governing body outlining the legal implications of such a move.&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 345px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2020171907228996078&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2F&sessionId=468d0e6cfa34031d210f20c53920d0e34cb8bc27&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The spokesperson also dismissed reports that the PCB had sought dialogue or a settlement with the ICC on the matter. Reacting to the denial, Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta questioned the consistency of reports surrounding the issue, saying clarity was needed if no formal engagement between the PCB and ICC had taken place.&nbsp;In a post on social media platform X, Gupta said that if the PCB&rsquo;s position was accurate and no correspondence or discussions were underway, then the spokesperson&rsquo;s statement should be taken at face value. However, he argued that reports of subsequent dialogue or settlement talks would contradict that stance.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 866px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2020202192456798243&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2F&sessionId=468d0e6cfa34031d210f20c53920d0e34cb8bc27&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Gupta also urged readers to consult reporting by non-Indian media outlets, suggesting that international coverage offered additional context to the unfolding situation. Pakistan&#39;s boycott of playing IndiaThe ICC is in shock over Pakistan&#39;s decision to boycott the lucrative T20 World Cup fixture against arch-rival India t<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;" id="isPasted">o <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;" id="isPasted"><a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/icc-hypocrisy-exposed-as-pakistan-skips-india-clash-in-t20-wc-mark-butcher" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">express solidarity with Bangladesh</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;" id="isPasted">, which was excluded from the tournament after refusing to play their matches in India. Earlier, reports emerged that the ICC had tasked its vice-chairman with engaging the PCB to bring it to the negotiating table amid concerns over a potential boycott of India-Pakistan fixtures and its broader implications for ICC events. Meanwhile, the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/sri-lanka-urge-pakistan-to-reconsider-india-game-boycott" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sri Lankan cricket board</a>, the World Cup co-host with India, has also requested that the PCB reconsider its decision, saying the boycott would cause financial losses&nbsp;and harm the island&#39;s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the 2022 economic meltdown. &quot;Any non-participation will have wide-ranging implications, including substantial financial exposure for SLC [Sri Lanka Cricket] and the potential loss of anticipated tourism inflows,&quot; the board said. Speculation over the matter has intensified due to the commercial and sporting significance of India-Pakistan matches, which remain among the ICC&rsquo;s most valuable properties.

This image shows the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) building in Lahore. — (AFP/File)

The spokesperson also dismisses reports suggesting that the Pakistan Cricket Board had sought dialogue or a settlement with the International Cricket Council on the matter.


Pakistan denies approaching ICC over India T20 World Cup clash

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Shamyl Hussain as captain of the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the upcoming T20 and 50-over series against England Lions, scheduled to be played in Abu Dhabi. <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/ptvs-40run-miracle-captivates-cricket-world-dominates-global-conversation" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Shamyl Hussain</a>, who currently leads the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) team, will captain a young and competitive Shaheens side. Series scheduleAccording to the PCB&rsquo;s announced itinerary, the tour will feature three T20 matches followed by a five-match 50-over series, with all games set to take place at the Stadium Oval, Abu Dhabi. T20 Series<ul><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">1st T20: 20 February</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">2nd T20: 22 February</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">3rd T20: 24 February</li></ul> 50-Over Series<ul><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">1st Match: 27 February</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">2nd Match: 1 March</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">3rd Match: 4 March</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">4th Match: 6 March</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">5th Match: 9 March</li></ul> Pakistan Shaheens SquadThe squad named for the T20 and 50-over series against England Lions is as follows: <ul><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Shamyl Hussain (Captain)</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Abdul Samad</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Arafat Minhas</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Ahmed Daniyal</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Akif Javed</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Ali Raza</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Hasan Nawaz</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Maaz Sadaqat</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Mohammad Salman</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Rohail Nazir (Wicketkeeper)</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Saad Baig (Wicketkeeper)</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Saad Khan</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Saad Masood</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Sameer Minhas</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Shahid Aziz</li><li style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 2;">Sufyan Moqim</li></ul>

According to the PCB’s announced itinerary, the tour will feature three T20 matches followed by a five-match 50-over series, with all games set to take place at the Stadium Oval, Abu Dhabi.

PTV’s Shamyl Hussain named captain of Pakistan Shaheens for England Lions series

ISLAMABAD: Cricket Australia on Monday announced a 17-player squad for a three-match T20I series in Pakistan, set to serve as final preparation ahead of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistanorigin-us-cricketers-denied-indian-visas-for-t20-world-cup" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup</a>. All three matches will be held at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pcb-confirms-dates-for-australias-threematch-t20i-series-in-lahore" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore</a>&nbsp;from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. The series comes as the Big Bash League (BBL) finals are underway in Australia, with some players joining the squad after their BBL campaigns conclude. Mitchell Marsh will lead the side as captain, while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/heads-69ball-ton-powers-australia-to-victory-in-ashes-opener" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Travis Head</a>, Cameron Green, and Josh Inglis &mdash; who recently featured in Australia&rsquo;s Ashes series against England &mdash; are also included. Several key T20 World Cup players will miss the Pakistan tour due to injury management or fitness concerns, including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Ellis, and Tim David. The squad includes promising young players such as Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards, who have impressed in recent BBL seasons and remain uncapped at the international level. Additional cover is provided by Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe, and Matthew Renshaw. Australia&rsquo;s Chair of Selectors George Bailey said, &ldquo;The series is a great opportunity for young players and those on the fringe of selection to gain valuable experience with the World Cup group in Pakistan.&rdquo; Full Australia T20I squad for Pakistan series:Mitch Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matt Short, Marcus Stonis, Adam Zampa

All three matches will be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1

Australia announce squad for three-game T20I series in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League&rsquo;s governing council has approved a major structural overhaul for the league&rsquo;s 11th season, replacing the long-standing player draft with a full-scale player auction model. This move marks the most significant reform in the PSL&rsquo;s history, signalling&nbsp;a decisive shift in its commercial and competitive direction. The Pakistan Cricket Board said the transition to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/psl-auction-hyderabad-franchise-sells-for-a-record-61-million" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">auction system</a>, to be implemented from HBL PSL 11, is aimed at enhancing transparency, strengthening competitive balance and significantly expanding earning opportunities for players, as the league enters its second decade. Under the new framework, franchises will be allowed to retain only four players, with a maximum of one retention per category &mdash; a sharp reduction from the previous system that allowed up to eight retentions, alongside mentors, brand ambassadors and a Right to Match (RTM) option. All such provisions have now been scrapped. The overhaul fundamentally reshapes squad-building dynamics, forcing franchises to re-enter the market and bid competitively for top talent, rather than relying on long-term protections built into the draft system. Newly inducted teams will be permitted to pre-select and retain four players from the available pool before the auction, giving them a base to build competitive squads. In addition, each franchise will be allowed one direct signing of a foreign player who did not feature in PSL 10, opening the door for fresh international names and strategic recruitment. Franchises&#39; salary purse increased to $1.6M In another major decision with long-term financial implications, the governing council has approved an increase in the player salary purse to $1.6 million per franchise, reinforcing the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pcb-invites-bids-for-multan-sultans-franchise-ahead-of-psl-11" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">PSL&rsquo;s ambition</a>&nbsp;to position itself as a more lucrative and globally attractive league for elite domestic and overseas cricketers. The PCB said the reforms reflect the league&rsquo;s evolving commercial maturity and its intent to align more closely with global franchise models, while maintaining its core objective of promoting high-quality cricket and fan engagement. HBL PSL 11 is scheduled to begin on 26 March 2026, with Faisalabad added as an additional host venue, marking the city&rsquo;s return to top-tier cricket and expanding the league&rsquo;s national footprint.Further details regarding the player auction mechanism, timelines and operational guidelines are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The move to an auction system is widely seen as a watershed moment for the PSL &mdash; one that could redefine franchise valuations, reshape competitive balance and alter the league&rsquo;s economic landscape ahead of its second decade.

PCB says the transition to an auction system, to be implemented from HBL PSL 11, is aimed at strengthening competitive balance and significantly expanding earning opportunities for players, as the league enters its second decade.

Pakistan Super League approves player auction model for season 11

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday formally invited bids for the sale of franchise team rights of Multan Sultans ahead of the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).&nbsp;In an advertisement published in newspapers, the PCB called on &ldquo;interested parties&rdquo; to bid for the Multan-based franchise, describing it as an opportunity to become part of what it termed a &ldquo;new era&rdquo; of the PSL.&nbsp;The board said Multan Sultans, which joined the league in its third edition in 2018, has developed an established fan base and a strong presence in the competition, making it a &ldquo;compelling opportunity&rdquo; for potential investors to build on its legacy.&nbsp;Under the bidding process, interested parties are required to obtain bid documents from the PCB. The deadline for submission of technical proposals has been set for Jan. 30, 2026, at 3:00pm, with proposals to be opened on the same day.&nbsp;The PCB said only technically qualified bidders would be allowed to proceed to the next stage of the process. It added that official information regarding the bidding would only be shared through its designated email address.&nbsp;The development follows recent remarks by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who said the board would continue to operate Multan Sultans during the upcoming PSL 11 season before completing the sale.&nbsp;Speaking at the ceremony held for the auction of the league&rsquo;s seventh and eighth franchises last week, Naqvi said the franchise had been labelled as loss-making, a perception he was determined to challenge by demonstrating its commercial potential before the auction.&nbsp;The invitation for bids comes at a time of rapid expansion for the PSL. <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/psl-auction-hyderabad-franchise-sells-for-a-record-61-million" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hyderabad and Sialkot</a> were recently confirmed as the league&rsquo;s newest franchises following a record-breaking auction, taking the competition to eight teams for the first time.&nbsp;The 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League is scheduled to be held from March 26 to May 3, 2026, with the expanded format expected to deliver a longer and more competitive tournament for fans across the country.

Calls on “interested parties” to bid for the Multan-based franchise, describing it as an opportunity to become part of what it termed a “new era” of the PSL.

PCB invites bids for Multan Sultans franchise ahead of PSL 11

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday confirmed the schedule for Australia&rsquo;s three-match T20I series in Pakistan, with all matches set to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium later this month, the cricket board said. The series will be held on Jan. 29, 31, and Feb. 1, with the Australian squad scheduled to arrive in Lahore on Wednesday, Jan. 28. According to the PCB, the coin toss for all three matches will take place at 5:30 p.m. PKT, with the first ball bowled at 6 p.m. The T20I series will provide crucial match practice for both teams ahead of the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan are placed in Group A, while Australia will compete in Group B of the tournament. This will be Australia&rsquo;s third tour of Pakistan since March-April 2022, when they played a three-match Test series, a three-match ODI series, and a one-off T20I. The Australian side also featured in three matches of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 held in Pakistan. Australia had edged Pakistan by three wickets in the only T20I played between the two sides at the Gaddafi Stadium on April 5, 2022.&nbsp;PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed said the board was looking forward to hosting the Australian team in Lahore.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are excited to host Australia for the three-match T20I series here in Lahore. The tour marks a blockbuster beginning of the year for Pakistan cricket fans, and I urge them to turn out in numbers to support both teams as they finalize their preparations for the T20 World Cup,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;He added that the Gaddafi Stadium had become a familiar venue for the Australian team, which has played a Test match, five ODIs, and one T20I there since March 2022.&nbsp;Series schedule (all matches at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore)&bull; 1st T20I &mdash; Thursday, Jan. 29 &mdash; 6 p.m. PKT &nbsp;&bull; 2nd T20I &mdash; Saturday, Jan. 31 &mdash; 6 p.m. PKT &nbsp;&bull; 3rd T20I &mdash; Sunday, Feb. 1 &mdash; 6 p.m. PKT

The series begins on Jan. 29 and ends on Feb. 1, with the Australian squad scheduled to arrive in Lahore on Jan. 28.

PCB confirms dates for Australia’s three-match T20I series in Lahore

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh will host Pakistan men&rsquo;s cricket team for a full international tour in 2026, according to state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).&nbsp;The tour will feature three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), as many Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and two Test matches.&nbsp;The T20Is and ODIs series will take place after the ICC T20 World Cup, while the two Tests will form part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.&nbsp;The exact schedule and match venues for all series are yet to be announced.&nbsp;The announcement came as part of a broader reveal of Bangladesh&rsquo;s packed home season, which will include four Tests, 12 ODIs and nine T20Is against various international opponents.&nbsp;As per the schedule, New Zealand will tour Bangladesh in April-May for three ODIs and three T20Is. Australia and India are also set to visit later in the year, in June and August-September respectively, with each team playing three ODIs and three T20Is.&nbsp;The home season will conclude with a two-Test series against the West Indies in October-November, preceded by a three-day warm-up match. In addition, Sri Lanka A will tour Bangladesh in May for two four-day matches and three one-day games.

The tour includes three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), as many Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and two Test matches.

Bangladesh to host Pakistan for full bilateral cricket series in 2026

ISLAMABAD: All-rounder Shadab Khan, and wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay have been named in Pakistan&#39;s 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, set to begin in January. Shadab, who last played for Pakistan in June, returns after a successful rehabilitation following shoulder surgery earlier this year.&nbsp;The series, scheduled to take place at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium from January 7 to 11, will provide Pakistan an opportunity to finalize their squad for the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2025.&nbsp;Shadab&rsquo;s inclusion is a significant boost for the team as they prepare for the World Cup. The 27-year-old is currently featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia, which marks his return to competitive cricket.&nbsp;Nafay, 23, is uncapped at the international level but has impressed with his performances for Pakistan Shaheens, having played 32 T20 matches with an impressive strike rate of 132.81.&nbsp;Salman Ali Agha, who captains the team, will continue in his role for the series. Agha has had a standout year, featuring in a record 34 T20I matches &mdash; the most by any Pakistan player this year. He will lead the side as Pakistan looks to build momentum ahead of the World Cup.&nbsp;The squad also includes a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, with the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Wasim Jnr all included.&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s team management will be led by head coach Mike Hesson, with Ashley Noffke as the bowling coach and Hanif Malik as the batting coach.&nbsp;The series, that follows <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-rout-sri-lanka-to-win-t20i-triseries" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sri Lanka&#39;s white-ball tour to Pakistan</a> in November, is expected to be a crucial step for Pakistan in refining their lineup for the T20 World Cup, where they will play all their matches in Colombo.&nbsp;Pakistan T20I squad: &nbsp;Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq.Team management: &nbsp;Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Hanif Malik (batting coach), Shane McDermott (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Col. Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Muhammad Ehsan (masseur).&nbsp;Series schedule:&nbsp;January 7: First T20I&nbsp;January 9: Second T20I&nbsp;January 11: Third T20I

The series is to take place at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla, from January 7 to 11.

Shadab, Nafay make it to Pakistan’s T20I squad for Sri Lanka series

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has strongly refuted Indian media reports, which claimed he had apologized to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the Asia Cup trophy handover controversy.&nbsp;In a sharply worded response on Wednesday, Naqvi, who is also the current Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President, dismissed a report by the Indian newspaper &ldquo;India Today&rdquo; as &ldquo;fabricated nonsense,&rdquo; accusing the Indian media of spreading &ldquo;cheap propaganda.&rdquo; <div class="fr-embed responsive-video"><div class="video-wrapper aspect-video"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1973318934825935079&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=16e35c51cb379971e8a26fd78c926176451212a8&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="width: 550px; height: 574px; min-height: 0px; position: static; visibility: visible;"></iframe></div> &ldquo;Indian media thrives on lies, not facts,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologized to the BCCI, nor will I ever do so.&rdquo; The newspaper had reported that Naqvi had privately apologized to BCCI officials but was reluctant to hand over the Asia Cup 2023 trophy and medals unless certain conditions were met.</div></div>&nbsp;The claim comes amid lingering tensions over India&rsquo;s absence from the formal trophy presentation after winning the tournament.&nbsp;Rejecting the allegations, Naqvi reiterated his readiness to hand over the trophy. &ldquo;As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day, and I am still ready now. If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;He also criticized India for politicizing the sport. &ldquo;Unfortunately, India continues to drag politics into cricket, damaging the very spirit of the game,&rdquo; Naqvi added.&nbsp;The Asia Cup trophy row has become yet another flashpoint in the already strained cricketing ties between the two nations, who currently only face each other in ICC and ACC events due to political tensions.

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