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Anytime there’s the us versus them, and we paint these broad brush strokes against certain groups of people, everyone loses.

Shahid Afridi Clarifies Position on Shaukat Khanum Donations

Shahid Afridi Refutes Claims of Discouraging Donations to Shaukat Khanum

Shahid Afridi addressed and refuted false claims that he discouraged donations to Shaukat Khanum Hospital, affirming his support and praising its contributions to cancer care. On July 1, Shahid Afridi, in a television interview, praised the work being done by Shaukat Khanum Hospital. He highlighted that his own father was treated there and spoke against politicizing charity organizations. This interview …

Argentina beat Colombia to win second consecutive Copa America title

Argentina beat Colombia to win second consecutive Copa America title

Defending champions Argentina clinched their record 16th Copa America title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Colombia in an intense final at Florida’s Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, the tournament’s top scorer, secured the win with a late extra-time goal in the 112th minute, capitalizing on a precise through ball from Giovani Lo Celso. Martinez …

"PCB Reverts to 'Old Model' with One-Year Central Contracts, Abandons Pay Cuts"

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Monday announced going back to its old model of granting a one-year central contract to the national side’s players, conditional to their performance. Among several decisions taken during a meeting of the board’s top brass, the officials decided against cutting the salaries of the players, who are under fire after their dismal T20 World Cup 2024. The monthly salaries of the players and their income were under discussion after the Pakistani side failed to live up to the fans’ expectations and crashed out of the tournament before even entering the Super 8 stage. In a statement, the board said: “The central contract’s tenure will be of a year. The players’ performance and fitness will be reviewed every year. Inclusion of players in different categories will be made under a well-defined process.” The PCB also decided that players’ fitness would be checked every three months and that it would be mandatory for the athletes to participate in domestic cricket. Currently, Category A players, which include Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and star pacer Shaheen Afridi, are paid Rs4.5 million per month. Meanwhile, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah are paid Rs3 million per month in Category B. Category C players are paid between Rs750,00 to Rs1.5 million per month and include players such as Imad Wasim. Meanwhile, Category D players are also paid the same as Category C and include players with the likes of Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Saim Ayub and others. It is to be noted that the aforesaid figures reflect only the monthly salaries of the players who also earn match fees and win bonuses across all three formats (Test, ODI, T20I) along with sponsorship perks. The existing three-year central contracts were awarded last year and came into effect from July 1, 2023, after the then-PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf was pressurised by players for increased remunerations, sources had told Geo News. NOCs and ‘grouping’ The statement further added that a technical process for issuing non-objection certificates (NOC) to the players would be worked out and those who would fulfil the requirements would be granted the NOC. Several top players, including Babar, Naseem, Rizwan, and others have recently faced setbacks as they were not issued NOCs from the board for playing leagues abroad, which are also a source of income for them. “The players will be promoted on the basis of their fitness and performance. There’s no place for players who do not fit the criteria. There’ll also be no compromise on discipline,” Naqvi told the meeting. It came to light last week that fast bowler Shaheen had heated arguments with batting coach Mohammad Yousuf during Pakistan’s tour to England, just before the World Cup. “There will be a zero-tolerance policy for players who lack discipline. There should be unity and consensus within the team. Players involved in grouping will not be tolerated,” he warned. The PCB chairman said that players who resort to grouping should face severe action, noting that the officials should also not consider anyone’s recommendations for an undisciplined player.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday that it would revert to its previous model of awarding one-year central contracts to national team players, contingent on their performance. Following a meeting of the board’s senior officials, it was decided not to reduce the salaries of players despite criticism following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup. …

Cricket fans assemble! After a tournament filled with uninterrupted cricket and legendary moments by veteran cricketers, Pakistan is now set to face its arch-rival India in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024 final. This development comes after the India Champions on Friday defeated Australia by 86 runs during the second semi-final at the County Ground in Northampton on Friday. The Men in Blue made their way into the series finale which is set to be played today (Saturday) at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. India dominated the Aussies in the semi-final, both with the ball and the bat as their all-round performance helped them secure a massive win. Earlier, Pakistan Champions defeated West Indies Champions by 20 in the first semi-final to secure a place in the ongoing tournament's final. After setting the 199-run target, the Pakistani bowlers showcased a brilliant display and propelled their team to the tournament’s final where they will face India. Following these thrilling matches, cricket fans have once again been sent into a frenzy as they look forward to the ever-so-exhilarating clash between the arch-rivals. The WCL 2024 final may hold a more special place in the hearts of cricket fans as both teams consist of legends from the cricket world. Don't forget to grab some snacks and tune in to watch the face-off between Pakistan and India at 8:30pm Pakistan Standard Time.

Pakistan set to face arch-rival India in WCL 2024 final today

Cricket fans assemble! After a tournament filled with uninterrupted cricket and legendary moments by veteran cricketers, Pakistan is now set to face its arch-rival India in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024 final. This development comes after the India Champions on Friday defeated Australia by 86 runs during the second semi-final at the County Ground in Northampton on Friday. …

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to grant fast bowler Naseem Shah the No Objection Certificate to play The Hundred cricket league, under the workload management, sources told Geo News. This will deprive Naseem of around Rs 45 million as he was signed by Birmingham Phoenix team for £125,000. As per the sources, the decision has been taken as a preventive measure ahead of the crucial matches of the World Test Championship, after reviewing the application submitted by the Pakistani cricketer for the NOC. They said his application has been dismissed to protect him from injuries, since he plays in all three formats of the cricket for the national side and he faced some fitness challenges last year. Naseem underwent a successful surgery to treat his shoulder injury in October 2023. Following which, he had been ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023. After that, doctors had advised the young pacer to rest and undergo rehabilitation for a period of four to six weeks before making his return to the ground. This injury forced him out of action for at least three to four months. In the 46th over, during Pakistan's second game against India at the Asia Cup 2023 in September 2023, the pacer walked off the field after suffering an injury on the reserve day organised for that game. Soon after, the PCB issued a press release stating that the right-armer has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament. He had suffered an injury to a muscle just below his bowling shoulder.

The Hundred 2024: PCB denies NOC to Naseem Shah

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to grant fast bowler Naseem Shah the No Objection Certificate to play The Hundred cricket league, under the workload management, sources told Geo News. This will deprive Naseem of around Rs 45 million as he was signed by Birmingham Phoenix team for £125,000. As per the sources, the decision has been …

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