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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Italy have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening international cricket cooperation and expanding technical and competitive support for the sport, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Friday.&nbsp;According to a PCB press release, the agreement will help advance men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s cricket in Italy, following the Italian national team&rsquo;s qualification for the upcoming ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup.&nbsp;&ldquo;The MoU was formally signed by Mr. Sumair Ahmad Syed, Chief Operating Officer, PCB and Madame Maria Lorena Haz Paz, President of the FCRI,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;The collaboration covers a wide range of development initiatives, including expert exchanges, joint training programmes, friendly and bilateral matches, and support for cricket infrastructure and youth pathways across Italy.&nbsp;Paz welcomed the partnership as part of Italy&rsquo;s broader strategy to raise competitive standards. She noted that the federation is also pursuing additional bilateral agreements to accelerate cricket growth.&nbsp;Syed underscored the PCB&rsquo;s commitment to supporting the global advancement of the sport. The statement quoted him as saying the partnership &ldquo;represents an important opportunity to strengthen sporting and cultural ties between Pakistan and Italy.&rdquo;

Cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board signed a historic MoU with Italy’s Cricket Federation to develop men’s and women’s cricket through training, expert exchanges, matches, and infrastructure support, strengthening global cricket cooperation and sporting ties between both nations.

Pakistan, Italy seal MoU to boost global cricket development efforts

RAWALPINDI: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Wasim starred as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the third and final ODI on Sunday, claiming the series 3-0.&nbsp;Rizwan scored an unbeaten 61 and opener Fakhar Zaman knocked 55 to guide Pakistan past their target of 212 in 44.4 overs.&nbsp;Fast bowler Wasim earlier took 3-47, while pace partner Haris Rauf and spinner Faisal Akram took two apiece to bowl out Sri Lanka on a slow-paced Rawalpindi Stadium pitch.&nbsp;This becomes Pakistan&#39;s fourth consecutive ODI series win over Sri Lanka, having beaten them in 2015, 2017 and 2019.&nbsp;Pakistan did lose opener Haseebullah Khan for a duck but Babar Azam joined Zaman to put 74 runs for the second wicket with both dominating the bowling.&nbsp;Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay brought Sri Lanka back in the game by removing Zaman, Azam (34) and Salman Agha (six) in the space of 33 runs.&nbsp;But Rizwan and Hussain Talat, who scored 42 not out, dove Pakistan past the target and to 215-4 during their unbroken 100-run stand for the fifth wicket.&nbsp;Zaman hit eight boundaries while the usually-swashbuckling Rizwan played an anchoring knock which featured just four hits to the rope.&nbsp;Vandersay finished with 3-42 but did not get any support from the other bowlers.&nbsp;For Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, it was his second series win as captain after beating South Africa 2-1 earlier this month.&nbsp;Sri Lanka lost the first two ODIs in Rawalpindi and started the final match on a bad note when skipper Charith Asalanka was ruled out with a fever.&nbsp;Sadeera Samarawickrama, who top-scored with 48, added 43 for the third wicket with stand-in captain Kusal Mendis (34), but the innings then fell away badly.&nbsp;Pathum Nissanka scored 24 and Kamil Mishara made 29 but both openers were dismissed in quick succession by the combination of Rauf and Wasim.&nbsp;Akram, playing his first international in a year, dismissed Kamindu Mendis for 10 and then Samarawickrama as the tourists slumped from 143-4 to 193-8.&nbsp;Debutant Pavan Rathnayake hit a fighting 32 with a six and two boundaries before he was the last man to go, run out trying to grab a quick second.&nbsp;The two sides will next engage in a T20 tri-series alongside Zimbabwe, beginning November 18.

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final ODI to seal a 3-0 series sweep. Rizwan and Wasim starred as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 211 amid tight bowling. 

Clinical Pakistan whitewash Sri Lanka 3-0 in ODI series

ISLAMABAD: In a major development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started the process to sell two new Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Saturday. Naqvi shared details on X, saying interested parties can submit technical proposals to acquire the new franchises by December 15, 2025.&nbsp; &ldquo;The Pakistan Super League is about to get bigger and better! Two new PSL dreams are about to come true,&rdquo; Naqvi said. <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;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=e30%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1989636898235547945&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8430173cd3b30d10e026dc4973fa4ee017a9ca0f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 849px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="1989636898235547945"></iframe></div></div> This announcement comes after the PCB completed an independent valuation of existing PSL franchises and other commercial assets.&nbsp; Following the completion of the exercise, the PCB issued renewal offer letters to all compliant PSL franchises, detailing the revised franchise fees for the upcoming 10-year cycle For the two new teams, interested bidders can choose from the following shortlisted cities: Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, Faisalabad, Gilgit, and Rawalpindi. The PCB emphasized that the process will be fair and transparent, aiming to strengthen its long-term partnership with PSL stakeholders.

The PCB has opened bidding for two new PSL teams. The teams can be based in six cities, following a fair and transparent process after franchise valuations.

Pakistan launches bidding process for two new PSL franchises

ISLAMABAD: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday confirmed that its national team will continue the ongoing Pakistan tour as scheduled, following reports that several players had expressed concerns over security. In a press release, the SLC said it had been informed by the team management that &ldquo;several members of the national team currently touring Pakistan have requested to return home, citing safety concerns.&rdquo; The statement added that SLC had &ldquo;immediately engaged with the players and assured them that all such concerns are being duly addressed in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the relevant authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of every member of the touring party.&rdquo; Reaffirming its commitment to the ongoing series, SLC stated that it had instructed &ldquo;all players, support staff, and team management to continue with the tour as scheduled.&rdquo; The board further clarified that &ldquo;if any player or member of the touring party decides to return to Sri Lanka despite the directive issued by SLC, replacements will be sent immediately to ensure that the tour continues without interruption.&rdquo; The Pakistan Cricket Board welcomed the announcement, with PCB Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressing gratitude to the Sri Lankan side. &ldquo;We are grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the Pakistan tour. The spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity shines bright,&rdquo; he said. According to the PCB, the remaining ODI matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will take place on November 14 and 16 in Rawalpindi. Pakistan&rsquo;s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also lauded the Sri Lankan team&rsquo;s commitment, saying, &ldquo;My heartfelt gratitude to the Sri Lankan Cricket Team for their visit to Pakistan and for always supporting the game of cricket. Keep up the sportsman spirit. We are honored by your presence.&rdquo; Echoing the sentiment, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif extended his appreciation, stating, &ldquo;Our special thanks to the Sri Lankan Cricket Team for their visit and for a good display of cricket. Our best wishes and gratitude.&rdquo; The tour continues amid assurances from Pakistani authorities that foolproof security measures remain in place for the visiting team.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Pakistani ministers' express gratitude, reaffirming strong bilateral ties and commitment to sportsmanship and player safety.

Sri Lanka Cricket announces to continue Pakistan tour

ISLAMABAD: Sri Lankan High Commissioner Rear Admiral Fred Siriweera on Wednesday met Federal Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to review security arrangements for the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team.&nbsp;According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, &ldquo;team managers of both sides, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, and Inspector General Islamabad Police were also present during the meeting.&rdquo;&nbsp;During the session, the Chief Commissioner and IG Islamabad Police gave a detailed briefing on the measures in place to ensure the Sri Lankan team&rsquo;s safety.&nbsp;Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed that the visiting players are being hosted as state guests, emphasizing that &ldquo;comprehensive security measures are in place and all necessary steps have been taken to ensure their foolproof security.&rdquo;&nbsp;Naqvi reiterated that &ldquo;providing a safe and secure environment to the visiting team remains the government&rsquo;s top priority.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;The Sri Lankan High Commissioner expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made for his country&rsquo;s team,&rdquo; the statement concluded.&nbsp;Sri Lanka is currently playing a three-match ODI series against Pakistan who leads the series 1-0, with the remaining two matches scheduled in Rawalpindi. Following the ODIs, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will join Zimbabwe in a T20I tri-series from November 17 to 29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner Rear Admiral Fred Siriweera met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to review security for the visiting team. Naqvi assured foolproof arrangements, while the envoy expressed satisfaction. Pakistan leads the ongoing ODI series 1–0.


Sri Lankan envoy lauds Pakistan’s ‘foolproof security’ for visiting team

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan could include a third spinner against South Africa as the hosts try to sweep the series 2-0 in the second Test in Rawalpindi, head coach Azhar Mahmood said Sunday. Pakistan beat World Test champions South Africa by 93 runs inside four days last week with spinners taking 34 of the 40 wickets on a turning Gaddafi Stadium pitch. Mahmood said either leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed or uncapped 38-year-old left-armer Asif Afridi could be called up for the second and final Test beginning on Monday on a dry Rawalpindi pitch. Left-armer Noman Ali took 10 wickets in the first Test while his spin partner Sajid Khan finished with six. With the pitch in Rawalpindi likely to turn more as the match goes on, Mahmood stressed that first innings runs will be crucial, whether batting first or second. &quot;The pitch looks dry ... so you need to score big and not depend on the toss for a favourable result,&quot; said Mahmood. South Africa will be bolstered by the return of experienced left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who missed the first Test with a groin strain. &quot;Keshav is fit and obviously it is great to have him back,&quot; said South Africa stand-in captain Aiden Markram. &quot;He brings in great experience and a really good skill set.&quot; Maharaj is likely to partner Senuran Muthusamy, who excelled with 11 wickets in the first Test. &quot;It is really important for us to try to level the series,&quot; said Markram, who is captain because Temba Bavuma is injured. &quot;We are expecting more spin in this Test but it is an opportunity for us.&quot; Tony de Zorzi made a century in the first Test and Markram said the South Africans had &quot;tapped into him&quot; to understand &quot;what worked against the Pakistan spinners.&quot; &quot;It is good to have someone with that confidence,&quot; he added.

Pakistan's team players attend a practice session on the eve of their second Test cricket match against South Africa, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on October 19, 2025. (AFP)

Either leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed or uncapped 38-year-old left-armer Asif Afridi could be called up for the second and final Test beginning on Monday.

Pakistan mull third spinner as they look for South Africa sweep

ISLAMABAD: Australian cricketers have mocked India&rsquo;s &ldquo;no-handshake&rdquo; policy with Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2025, playfully suggesting funny alternatives in a promo video . The video showed players like Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, and Alyssa Healy joking about India&rsquo;s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan. In the clip, the anchors humorously pointed out India&rsquo;s avoidance of traditional greetings, the anchor said &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve identified one critical weakness that they&rsquo;re not big fans of the traditional greeting,&rdquo; while mimicking a handshake. The Australian players then joined the joke with different gestures. Australian right-hand batsmen Maxwell and Nathan Ellis made mock fist-and-palm gestures, while Healy wiggled her fingers in a teasing way. Spinner Sophie Molineux used an &ldquo;Italian salute&rdquo; and even flipped the middle finger. Marsh suggested a &ldquo;finger in the ice cup&rdquo; gesture, and others added ideas like &ldquo;healing hands&rdquo; and &ldquo;salt on the popcorn.&rdquo; Hazlewood ended by joking, &ldquo;What about the shooter?&rdquo; causing laughter all around. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 560px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px; 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=1978126585828982793&lang=en&maxWidth=560px&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=3ed902d1cf2731030846d574b9d050a3014412f7&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">AUS players pre-India clip mocks India no-handshake theatre vs Pak. Why Aussie media &amp; players laughing at stance sold as national pride? <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">@BCCI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JayShah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">@JayShah</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GautamGambhir?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">@GautamGambhir</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">@ICC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MithunManhas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">@MithunManhas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/vikrantgupta73?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">@vikrantgupta73</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/rawatrahul9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">@rawatrahul9</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mufaddal_vohra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">@mufaddal_vohra</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PadmajaJoshi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">@PadmajaJoshi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ShivAroor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">@ShivAroor</a> <a href="https://t.co/lSbuyhEcui" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">pic.twitter.com/lSbuyhEcui</a>&mdash; Maham Fazal (@MahamFazal_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MahamFazal_/status/1978126585828982793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote></div> Though the original video was taken down, clips are still circulating on social media. The incident reminded fans of the Asia Cup &ldquo;handshake saga,&rdquo; when Indian players skipped post-match handshakes with Pakistan on several occasions during the Asia Cup 2025. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later confirmed that Pycroft described the incident as a &ldquo;miscommunication&rdquo; and issued an apology. The ICC expressed readiness to investigate the recurring incidents. India is set to tour Australia for three ODIs and five T20Is starting October 19, before returning home to host South Africa for a Test and limited-overs series.

Australian cricketers have mocked India’s “no-handshake” policy with Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2025, playfully suggesting funny alternatives in a promo video.

Australian cricketers humorously mocked India’s “no-handshake” policy with Pakistan during Asia Cup 2025 in a now-deleted promo video, sparking social media buzz and recalling earlier controversies

Australian players mock India’s ‘no-handshake’ stance in promo video

ISLAMABAD: India and Pakistan will face off in the 14th match of the Men&rsquo;s T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.&nbsp;&nbsp;The match will start at 7:30 p.m. local time.&nbsp;Recent resultsIndia is leading Group A after winning all three group matches, earning six points with a net run rate of 3.547, including defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, and Pakistan.&nbsp; Meanwhile, Pakistan holds second place with four points, winning two of three games; their only loss was to India. Pakistan won against the UAE and Oman.&nbsp;Possible squadIndia&rsquo;s squad is captained by Suryakumar Yadav, with vice-captain Shubman Gill. Batters include Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, and Rinku Singh while bowlers include Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Kuldeep Yadav.&nbsp; Axar Patel is part of the squad but may miss the game due to a recent head injury. The Pakistani side will be captained by Salman Agha, supported by batters Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan. The bowling line-up features Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, and Hasan Nawaz.&nbsp;VenueUmpires Asif Yaqoob and Rohan Pandit will officiate, with Virender Sharma as TV umpire. Andy Pycroft will serve as match referee.&nbsp;The game will be played under floodlights in a 20-over format, with an interval between innings.&nbsp;Political context and rivalry Historically, India-Pakistan cricket matches carry political and emotional significance beyond the sport. The rivalry has been marked by tension in recent years, with incidents such as India&rsquo;s players not shaking hands with Pakistan&rsquo;s team after their group match this tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spoke about breaches in conduct and governance by the Indian side. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) found no protocol violations in the disputed incidents.&nbsp;Group A points table<table id="isPasted"><thead><tr><td style="width: 30.5383%;">Team</td><td style="width: 22.2561%;">Matches Played</td><td style="width: 8.6877%;">Wins</td><td style="width: 10.428%;">Losses</td><td style="width: 9.6581%;">Points</td><td style="width: 18.3812%;">Net Run Rate</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width: 30.5383%;">India</td><td style="width: 22.2561%;">3</td><td style="width: 8.6877%;">3</td><td style="width: 10.428%;">0</td><td style="width: 9.6581%;">6</td><td style="width: 18.3812%;">3.547</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 30.5383%;">Pakistan</td><td style="width: 22.2561%;">3</td><td style="width: 8.6877%;">2</td><td style="width: 10.428%;">1</td><td style="width: 9.6581%;">4</td><td style="width: 18.3812%;">1.790</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 30.5383%;">United Arab Emirates</td><td style="width: 22.2561%;">3</td><td style="width: 8.6877%;">1</td><td style="width: 10.428%;">2</td><td style="width: 9.6581%;">2</td><td style="width: 18.3812%;">-1.984</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 30.5383%;">Oman</td><td style="width: 22.2561%;">3</td><td style="width: 8.6877%;">0</td><td style="width: 10.428%;">3</td><td style="width: 9.6581%;">0</td><td style="width: 18.3812%;">-2.600</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;The Asia Cup final is scheduled for September 28.

The Asia Cup final is scheduled for September 28.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)"