Ambiguity in ICC tournaments prevails

With the COVID-19 pandemic blocking the world, the ICC, like all global sports organizations, has been busy working on contingency plans for its events this year: the Men's T20 World Cup, to be held in Australia later this year. year. , the World Test Championships (WTC) and the new ODI League, the path for teams to qualify for the men's ODI 2023 World Cup, which was scheduled to start in May.

This is to further understand that the ICC has already started to write down the first support plans, but they are not yet concrete, since the pandemic remains a fluid situation. But below are some of the options under consideration.

Fate of ICC world T20 event 2021?

Another option the ICC might think of exploring is utilising the gap year that is 2022 which currently does not have an ICC global event. But for that alternative, the ICC along with Cricket Australia and BCCI, the hosting boards for the next two T20 World Cups, would need to sit down and carve out an alternate window which then would need to be synced with the larger Future Tours Programme (FTP).

What happens to the WTC?

India occupy the top slot on the WTC points table, but a 2-0 defeat in New Zealand recently has thrown the race wide open. But now, many series that form part of the WTC will need to be adjusted and deferred. Bear in mind the first cycle is due to end next March, with the final scheduled at Lord's in June. What happens if there is not enough time to accommodate all the series each of the nine teams are supposed to play (six each)?

Will the top two teams, in terms of WTC points table currently, play the final when cricket resumes? Or should the WTC model be reworked to restore parity? It will not be easy given several teams have barely played one series so far under the WTC. Should the WTC final then be deferred to allow all teams play equal number of series to stand an equal chance to make the summit? That would have implications for the second edition of the WTC which was meant to be played from 2021-23. More likely, the current FTP, which runs until 2023, will need to be re-looked at in its entirety.

What about the Cricket World Cup Super League?

The ODI Super League is scheduled to be played between May 1 this year and March 31, 2022, serving as the qualification pathway for the 2023 World Cup. There are 13 teams, including the 12 Test-playing countries along with Netherlands, who will play eight series over a two-year cycle on a home-and-away basis against mutually-agreed opponents. The Super League was put in place to add context to ODI cricket. The administrators will need to decide if it should be postponed altogether, or reduce the number of series when cricket resumes.

The most drastic step, which cannot be ruled out, is doing away with the Super League. In such a scenario the qualification process for the 2023 World Cup would need to be reworked.

When will the ICC decide on these matters?

There is no cut-off date yet chalked out by the ICC. The issue is listed on the agenda for the ICC quarterly meetings scheduled for May 8 to 10, potentially in Dubai based on government regulations, when the chief executives committee and the ICC board are scheduled to meet in person.

World Cup 1992 anniversary

25th March 1992 marks the anniversary
of Pakistan's only 50 over CWC trophy

The 1992 Cricket World Cup was the fifth staging of the Cricket World Cup, which was organised by the International Cricket Council (the ICC), which was jointly held in Australia and New Zealand from 22 February to 25 March 1992, and finished with Pakistan beating England on this same vary day by 22 runs in the final to become the World Cup champions for the first time.

Obstacles for team Pakistan

Pakistan team was in shambles, because Pakistan's building momentum to the tournament was still being trial-and-tested, as Waqar Younis who was supposed to be heading Pakistan's bowling was at the 11th hour retired due to hairline fracture, furthermore Saeed Anwar the opening batter and companion for Aamir Sohail was also out due to fitness issues, therefore the whole team of World Cup 1992 combination was still being jelled during the tournament kicked started, but like it is always being said, leadership matters, because it is the leader who emphasis' on building a team who makes sure that the team functions accordingly to his plans, which was a major problem for Imran Khan to initiate his plans in accordance, and therefore he required someone who could help him initiate and continue with his plannings.

They were the opposites of each other, but for the country
they shred their grudges and played for the single cause
which sans in today's time

Turbulent times back home

1992 was a year mixed with euphoria and tragedy for Pakistan. While Pakistan won the finals of the Cricket World Cup, thousands died in the flooding that occurred in the northern regions of Pakistan as a result of torrential rains swelling the Indus river. The Nawaz government inaugurated a few projects in the province of Punjab towards the betterment of road networks and ordered a military operation in the province of Sindh to counter the growing language riots and ethnic tension.

Javed Miandad and Imran Khan

They were partners alright, but they always had difference in opinions; totally opposites, and bitter rivals; but they had a common goal, vision and purpose, but also separated by their differentiated backgrounds and nature. Somehow they saw through the mist of bitterness and understood that they were better cooperating instead of  fighting. In the process, enough magic was released to launch a golden era, which also includes the cricket world cup 1992 triumph.

Much has been said about the rivalry between Lahore and Karachi as the basis of the tensions between Imran and Miandad, but it probably had more to do with the taboo subject of social class. They were both burdened by him in their own way: one having less and the other having more. Approaching cautiously, they communicated natural reactions of their kind and accumulated resentments. Class may be a tricky and awkward subject, but it's one for which cricket, a sport that once distinguished between gentlemen and players, is no stranger.

The slights that Miandad perceived are specific, while Imran's are vague. In 1982, Imran testified in a feather field when Miandad was not 280 years old and looked good for 400; this still makes Miandad furious. Imran was also the axis of the rebellion against the initial captaincy spell of Miandad in 1981; This also continues to annoy. On the other hand, Imran's complaints are more about Miandad's intrigues, his penchant for confrontation, and his capacity for political intrigue.

Whatever the circumstances

They both put aside their grudges and grievances placing Pakistan on the numero-uno position in Cricket World Cup 1992 which also known as the Benson-and-Hedges Cricket World Cup 1992, and placed such a partnership in between himself and Miandad which was exception because for the team, they both put aside their egos for the betterment of Pakistan cricket and because of which Pakistan was actually placed into a bowling machine because of Imran Khan's leadership quality, where Imran Khan emphasized on Wasim Akram, and Aqib Javed  in absence of Waqar Younis as mentioned above due to a hairline fracture, but he had faith on his team and I need not to mention the speech and explanation he gave at the toss and when the commentator asked about the t-shirt. Although others have largely criticized his decisions in team selection but still it was the team combination which he and Miandad created which in the end and in the longer run, these were the finds who benefited Pakistan with the likes of Inzamam, Aqib Javed, Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar and Amir Sohail (whose replacement we are still in search of by the time I am writing this), Mushtaq Ahmed and the two wicket keepers i.e. Rashid Latif and Moin Khan.

Hafeez's right part II

Hafeez is usually not very vocal but two times when
I remember, when PCB sport a 'shut-up call' to Hafeez

Muhammad Hafeez had rightly said that country comes first and hence there should be a thin line whether you want to choose 'Extra Talent' over country's dignity and name?

Can it justify to accept other players to share a dressing room with a tainted player who was not playing for the country but for the bookies?

I don't think so nor such exercise should be appreciated, because like I mentioned in previous blog post, it'd motivate other players to go for gaining either by hook-or-by-crook, which is going to haunt Pakistan Cricket both in reputation and the name of PCB and the Pakistan as a nation, which is something a big cost when you wear Pakistan jersey and blazer with Pakistan's emblem.

The Second Incident

After Muhammad Amir's return, Sharjeel was second even where we as a nation were insistent in having him return to the national circuit, which is not a good thing because when same sort of incident occurred more than once, and we're interested in acquiring a 'tainted' player into Pakistan colours.

Having this emblem on our chests is an
honour for us

Where's country name and dignity?

Is it less important than "Extra Talent"? We endorse India in so many aspect, why can't we take inspiration from BCCI who have zero tolerance on such incidence and none could make it to Indian colours although if even the Supreme Court allows a particular player, BCCI wouldn't let such players to make up to wear the 'Bleed Blue Jersey', this should be the stance instead of reclaiming such players again to represent the country.

In a nutshell

In my own point of view, I personally won't allow such players to represent Pakistan, although it is right that human being is not perfect and even the life gives a second chance, I admit but my say is life does give second chance but not as easily as we're giving, and that too at least two times. If they're being given chance, they should be taken into confidence to play for domestic and leagues but representing Pakistan is not justified by any means.

Hafeez's right

In my personal opinion, Hafeez is right in raising inclusion not of
Sharjeel Khan, but tainted players because it defies the integrity of the
country over the fan following, which in the long run would hamper
national integrity.

I found a comment of Muhammad Hafeez where he was having questions on inclusion of Sharjeel Khan into competitive cricket, this is not the first time Hafeez has questioned a player on his return from a ban. In December 2015, he and current Test captain Azhar Ali stayed away from a training camp ahead of a tour of New Zealand because Mohammad Amir, who was returning from a spot-fixing ban, was picked to be a part of it. Both of them eventually joined training after the PCB intervened and have since played several matches alongside Amir.

What repercussion would it impact in the longer run?

It would host a threat on the national integrity that everything is allowed in Pakistan, you do a crime and than deemed to return after sporting a successful social-media propagation, read Salman Butt.

Entitlement of PSL 5 champions

PSL 2020 champions if tilted in a pendulum, should go with the league games topper

The PSL missed the trick by not going for the same-day-winner approach instead of waiting for resumption cum redemption of physical cricket being played on Pakistan soil on a later time period, which is something astonished me as well because the fact is none would remember the scenario at that time, furthermore, whoever wins PSL at that time would only be champions for mere some months and after that 2021 edition of PSL would be on cards because of which it is unprecedented aspect of replaying the 3 games on installment basis, which is definitely going to incur more loses for the franchisee than any thing else.

Ongoing rift between ICC and the BCCI?

It is the high time when the richest cricket board of the world and the governing body requires to be on the same page to help cricket flourish

The ICC's sponsorship money

The ICC earns its major money off media rights and same is the case for not only India but all over the world Internationally where every cricketing board earns by selling its sponsorship rights on grand/international scales, where Fox Sports is for Australia, Sky Sports NZ for NZ, British Sky is for England and the UK, Supersport is for South Africa and the Afrikaans, Gazi TV for Bangladesh and Star TV for India and not only India but also for the ICC events, whereas Pakistan's cricketing rights are associated with Tensports which is a subpart of Sony Pictures, which also holds rights for games played under SLC and CWI.

Where and Why is the problem between the two?

Where?

The problem is between some of the major aspects;

1- IPL and the ICC events

ICC usually allocates its media rights for time span of 8 years, for which ends 2023 which also includes the finale of ICC World Test Championship, but afterwards it plans to start two cups' tournaments, one is world T20 Cup and second one is world ODI cup which is alternative for ICC champions trophy which according to some bloggers and officials sounded more like a football/soccer event therefore according to them, they would like to brand or should I rephrase, re-brand their tournaments so that it could be differentiated especially in the European countries where countries are also mad for field football/soccer, so this is ICC perspective.

Why

The answer of the 'why' aspect lies because there are many cricketing leagues around the world including IPL, PSL, BPL, CPL, BBL and English's T20 blast, which accumulated days count around 330 days in a year, therefore the riot also errupted when it didn't give IPL it's complete window unlike today where there's no international cricket especially during when IPL is being staged, therefore contradiction starts over here between the two parties.

2- The ICC's plan

As per the ICC's plan, it plans to stage their one event every year including the 50 over CWC which has always being the prime of it events. But prior to this, I also mentioned that accumulated dates of all domestic cricket leagues around the world now counts around 330 days out of 365 days, so it is in the interest of ICC to have large audiences watching their events instead of domestic leagues and hence BCCI doesn't want to compromise on their IPL. Furthermore, currently ICC is on the verge of taking the ownership of 2023 fifty over cricket world cup off India because according to ICC, BCCI is not exempting taxes off ICC as ICC is staging it CWC in India and ownership unlike 2011 event where India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were the hosts, 2023 is solely hosted by India, therefore the BCCI is unable to convince the government of giving exemptions and hence ICC is on the verge of taking ownership of the event away from India, which being a neutral audience, I personally feel is not a good thing for the whole South Asia.

Asia Cup 2020 update

Expected venue of Asia Cup 2020 - T20 event

It is expected that Bangladesh is the supposed venue despite of the UAE because of the financial and crowd outcome, especially when the region is highly effected with the ongoing pandemic, so Bangladesh is best option.

What is my opinion on relocation of Asia Cup 2020?

I say instead of the UAE, Bangladesh is going to be better selection of Venue, because T20 tournament is all known for its venues and crowd, where we can't continuously assure continuous crowd involvement in UAE, therefore a good choice for staging Asia Cup in Bangladesh, but personally if it had happened in Pakistan, it could had done much good for the game and could have had improved the perspective of Pakistan cricket globally.

Listening to other YouTube Vloggers' opinions on the teams

I disagree with their speculated teams because they have been straight forward and shortsighted in their speculated teams, because all their teams are having the cream of PSL 2020 but they were not emphasizing on bench-strength, otherwise when I took note of the other cricket boards' team squads, they usually start with a blue-print plan that this is how we're going to plan this particular series where they take note of the country their teams' are currently touring, if their team is winning the series, this is going to be the squad which is generally a variable i.e. not fixed. Otherwise here in Pakistan, our teams' are being decided on the basis of fans' opinion which is another new in the world, instead of strategically decide and divide players' resource with respect difference aspects like position the team is playing etc. which is not taken into consideration, because of which most of the time the find we discover from PSL or from an international venture, but after sometimes let's say 6 months at least, that player is banished and therefore 3 4 times a year we're in continuous choreographed loop of searching for the replacement, instead of planning that not to overuse a particular player or reuse the used ammu like Kamran Akmal who's in his late 30s to advocate for the re-return.

Our so called Vloggers have short sight and therefore no broader perspective

Vloggers' should use their laptops to compile accumulated data and some human intelligence instead of getting emotional, think that winning is second thing, sustaining the momentum is and should be the main aspect, when players are going to re-change every now and than is going to sport no good for the country which generated players like Saeed Anwar, Aamir Sohail, Inzamam ul Haq, Ijaz Ahmed, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq and the two W's, because they were continued in the longer run, but here our Vlogger's and YouTube video channel content creators decide the fate of Pakistan national cricket team, or is it our selection committee taking tips from them? I don't know nor I want to know because I do not count myself with them, this is my own platform where all what I write is my on point of view and is nowhere to be deemed as undue pressurizing.

Think about the country first

Thinking about the country means sustaining the momentum instead of changing players and watching bang bang bash players who're not able to SUSTAIN their performance in longer run unlike Aaron Finch of Australia who have been performing since 2018, can we assure, KAMRAN AKMAL could sustain that standard of performance? I still remember 2010 Sydney Test between Australia and Pakistan.

CoronaVirus, Pakistan and the Cricket

Pakistan, along with the global pandemic these days, have been infected these days with the COVID-19 a.k.a. the CoronaVirus, therefore we bankers especially in Karachi city, have been masked and furthermore we are not shaking hands with our fellows, colleagues, clients and acquaintances, but the fact it, this pandemic has let us being clean and sanitized all the time. This is a cricket blog otherwise I can write for hours and dozen of pages with no ending but I'd try my level best to categorize the catastrophe impacted by this virus.

Cricket in Pakistan

Cricket had initiated in Pakistan after proper 11 years, and just after its initiation, starting from Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan in December 2019 the world is facing this global dilemma and because of which I fear cricket won't be returning to Pakistan at least for a year, or if possible after Asia Cup 2020 and World T20, if it returns quickly.

Cricket in Pakistan and Alex Hales

I fear (and I pray it not) if Alex Hales found positively
infected with COVID-19, will haunt Pakistan Cricket for long!

Currently there have been speculations, that Alex Hales who was part of Karachi Kings in current season of the HBL PSL, supposed to be infected with CoronaVirus, and God Forbid, if found positive, will definitely haunt Pakistan Cricket for ages, if not ages it would at least haunt for years to come, because no international cricketer till date when I am writing this post i.e. March 19th, 2020, has been infected, but if a cricketer gets infected after visiting Pakistan will definitely sport no goods for Pakistan Cricket for years' to come.

As expected, Bangladesh second leg of tour to Pakistan postponed

Pakistan v Bangladesh series postponed

Bangladesh's second leg of their tour to Pakistan is postponed, which I personally feel is a sensible decision because now Coronavirus is a pendamic disease therefore The PCB did the right thing because it was a potential risk for both environment at Karachi for both Karachiites and boys from Bangladesh. The board has also indefinitely postponed the Pakistan Cup. The domestic one-day competition was initially scheduled to start on March 25. The virus, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has resulted in the suspension of major sporting events across the world. International cricket has already seen England's tour of Sri Lanka, South Africa's tour of India, New Zealand's tour of Australia get affected as a result.

What about the PSL?

The Pakistan Cricket Board aka The PCB missed the trick by rushing to complete the HBL PSL.

Crowd was the main aspect

It was the crowd in Pakistan, which actually made the PSL as a gigantic brand which the PSL and PCB failed to capitalize, because many international leagues and series' have been postponed because their mentality is their crowd and therefore they give preference to the human aspect and when there is no crowd which makes their leagues' as leagues which the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan Super League missed the opportunity, which will definitely result in degrading the level of the league.

Last game for National Stadium Karachi at the HBL PSL V

Today is going to be one of those days when National Stadium of Karachi is going to host one last time for this season of the #HBLPSL 5. I personally didn't want it that way but being an optimistic person, there's PSL 6 when we can finally host more games at National Stadium Karachi.

Quetta Gladiators v Karachi Kings at Karachi

Definitely now under the current revised itinerary after rejig, the last game of PSL this season for National Stadium Karachi. Karachi Kings on one hand would want to start the semifinal on high and therefore would require a win. Quetta Gladiators on the other hand would like to be the dark horse and spoil the statistics game for Karachi Kings and definitely would want to score (if they bat first) and beating Karachi by margin of 100+ score (which is definitely a difficult task) only when there are slight chance Quetta could qualify by swapping places with Pdshawar but that is too difficult because under that scenario, game would be on NRR and situation is not good for Quetta because of two obstacles, one is obviously the NRR and second is number 7, under the scenario, Quetta and Peshawar are supposedly on 9 points each, so first Gladiators would have to first win and after that winning comprehensively with overs (not over) to spare or otherwise reducing Karachi under 100 runs mark. This is the only possible scenario where Quetta could swap places with Peshawar in the fifth season of the HBL PSL. 

Corona virus and the remainder of Bangladesh tour of Karachi? Is it on the cards?

We remember how much we pampered the Bangladeshis to visit Pakistan and now on the wake of recent outbreak of Corona Virus, would they be visiting Pakistan?

I don't think so... 

As they reluctantly agreed to visit Pakistan and hence now they have a genuine reason of not visiting as they have an argument that it is a risk of getting infected with the said virus. 

Which is ridiculous! 

As compared to other countries of the region, Pakistan still counts less than neighboring countries who're infected with this virus outbreak. Furthermore several South African Australian New Zealand and the West Indians are in Pakistan completing their remainder of the PSL. And the remainder players are no small names, Colin Ingram, Cameron Delport, Shane Watson, Phil Salt, etc are to name some, therefore it is ridiculous that they (the Bangladeshis) are producing such ridiculous excuses of not touring Pakistan. I am not going to go into history how Pakistan helped Bangladesh into cricket and supported them at every level and stage but regional countries are supposed to be helping each other instead of acting alienated 

Something worth mentioning in a separate post

Rizwan shares why all karachi kings foreign players except Hales did not go back to home even they were offered ! And let me tell u
Rizwan is proper team man iski baton aur iske expressions ko 1 cricketer e samjh skta hai jo bahir bench pe betha ho"#KKvIU #IUvKK #IUvsKK pic.twitter.com/uL1IMGcdnj

— Sana Khan (@SanaKha05843908) March 14, 2020

Four times semi finalist Islamabad United out of PSL V

Now when Islamabad United out of the Semi Final spot, the battle of semi final is in between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi that which team is going to be the 3rd and 4th team in the semi finals.

Slowly and surely the dust has started to get settled and hence Multan and Karachi respectively are two teams qualified for the semi final spots and now from tomorrow it is the battle of which team going to face either Multan otherwise Karachi. Peshawar is just on the wall and is only dependent on the outcomes of others' games, i.e. tomorrow's game of Lahore, which can only decide the fate of Peshawar either are they going to be the third or the fourth team in the semi finals.

Islamabad United v Karachi Kings at Karachi

Unexpectedly, Karachi Kings performed really well in the first innings, keeping Islamabad United restricted well under 150 score which is generally par score on current Karachi deck, therefore kudos to the boys in Blue, otherwise the statistical view also shows pure-dominance of the Karachi bowlers especially the second half which is dedicated to them. Lets see how Karachi Kings batter chase this mild target

Pure dominance of Karachi Kings, restricting Islamabad United well under 150 score on an Awesome Karachi deck.

A bad day for PSL and the cricket

Yesterday it was Karachi but sorry to say today it is the whole of HBL PSL where several of foreign players featuring in current edition, have opted to flew back to home, and the PCB rightly so allowed them to do so, for which I am also in favour because this is epidemic and therefore we can't risk other players getting infected.

Sad Helm of Affairs, but this is reality

Seeing empty stadium at Karachi National Stadium, is something I do not want because I have been used to see empty stadium when Pakistan used to play its home games at UAE therefore I was one of those happy Pakistanis who were happy in cricket returning to Pakistan, but now cricket gone back from Pakistan because of a global scenario and not just something occurred in Pakistan only, but it is the main reason cricket again flew away from Pakistan.

Current PSL itinerary involves...

The PSL has scrapped its four-match play-off, turning the knockout stage into a two-day affair with semi-finals and a final, as the league copes with the impact of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak. As many as ten overseas players and an overseas coach are also leaving because of the developments and fears over travel restrictions.

The rejig shaves four days off the schedule even though it reduces the total match count by just one.

 which means...

"The decision means the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 will be reduced by four days and there will now be 33 matches as opposed to 34," a PCB statement said. "According to the revised schedule, the 17 March semi-finals will be double-headers and will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium with the table-toppers going head to head with the fourth-placed side at 2pm. This match will be followed by the second semi-final, which will begin at 7pm, between the second and third-placed sides.

Players who're opting out of the PSL

A large contingent of English players were among the most significant to pull out from from the PSL because of the pandemic. Peshawar Zalmi's Tom Banton, Liam Livingstone, Lewis Gregory and Carlos Brathwaite, as well as Multan Sultans' James Vince and Karachi Kings' Alex Hales, were among the first to confirm their departures, and the list has since expanded to include Peshawar's Liam Dawson and coach James Foster, Multan's Rilee Rossouw, and Jason Roy and Tymal Mills of Quetta Gladiators.

South Africa tour to India 2020

South Africa's tour to India was also postponed for indefinite period, because of the same corona virus threat.

IPL 2020

IPL 2020 was also postponed till April since they're expecting situation would get better by that time.

The decision to postpone the tournament, which was scheduled to start on March 29, was taken by the BCCI top brass led by its president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah and top management of the IPL in the wake of the advice given by various arms of the Indian government.

In its statement announcing the decision on Friday afternoon, the BCCI said it was "suspending" the IPL until April 15 as a "precautionary measure" against the coronavirus. "The BCCI is concerned and sensitive about all its stakeholders, and public health in general, and it is taking all necessary steps to ensure that, all people related to IPL including fans have a safe cricketing experience," the release said. "The BCCI will work closely with the Government of India along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and all other relevant Central and State Government departments in this regard."

If I quote ESPNcricinfo,

ESPNcricinfo had earlier reported the possibility of the IPL being a severely restricted tournament - with at least some part of it being played to empty stands - because of the pandemic. While the central sports ministry had said it would not stop sporting events from taking place as long as they adhered strictly to government guidelines discouraging mass gatherings, the external affairs (foreign) ministry had said that its advice was to not go ahead with the tournament at this time, but left the decision to the organisers.

Before arriving at the decision to defer the tournament, the IPL is understood to have consulted at least some of the franchises for their views. As far as the franchises were concerned they wanted the tournament to go ahead in whatever form even if behind closed doors. One franchise chief executive said an option that was considered, and, which might still be in play if the tournament starts in April, is to allow no spectators during the first few weeks of the tournament and then upon review resume ticket sales. 

I personally feel...

The show must go on, because if there is risk there is cure, therefore when there would be activity, people would opt for its cure because it is the genetic nature of the human being that it can't be stagnant for long, therefore if sporting activities would carry on, the medics would definitely go for the cure. Furthermore, metabolism is the best cure for this as in-taking fresh water secrete as sweat is definitely going for no harm instead goods for the human body, as research has also proven 0.2 times it is lethal otherwise it would take its time and than banish, therefore I am in favour of continuing the activity with empty grounds and than afterwards slowly people would gather courage to fight it.

Corona Virus affects Karachi games

Games in Karachi affected due to Corona virus threat

I personally feel, The PCB should have had staged Karachi games to Multan instead, because already three games were played there and hence Karachi's games could have had been accommodated easily at Multan on short notice. Playing PSL games at Karachi with empty stands is a shame. I personally do not know much about this virus but the fact is this virus is all dependent on being dirty, we as Muslims who ablate five times a day, won't affect a lot. therefore stop propagating degrading news and instead concentrate on quality of games.  

Suggestions for PSL management

Welcome back to Karachi

From the cold weather of Lahore, we are back here at the south in Karachi shores for crunch of a contest between Lahore and Karachi, furthermore Karachi is getting its remaining share of PSL games.

A Houseful Karachi

This is something worth appreciated is of the houseful crowd of Karachi where it is not generally expected but it is reality, which is worth mentioning here, although it is a shame that Karachi crowd won't be experiencing the further PSL games and surely acted as the 12th today

The PSL Itinerary

The PSL Management should make sure, equal number of games should be allocated for each venue(s) for having understanding and the meaning of a proper home-and-away contest, otherwise 3 games to Multan, 8 to Rawalpindi, 9 to Karachi and 14 to Lahore is something won't be creating interest in the masses nor would justify the requirement for staging particular games.

Peshawar Stadium

We require further upgrades to our cricket stadiums on modern scales so that unlike Karachi stadium where an electronic scoreboard covers space which could be utilized for sitting arrangements of the crowd. Next year we are expecting Peshawar to be one of the venues for PSL and the home venue for for Peshawar Zalmi. Furthermore more if Quetta ain't stage their home games at Quetta or somewhere in the province of Baluchistan, they can stage their games either at National Stadium, otherwise at Rafi Cricket Stadium, and hence Karachi Kings be staging their home games otherwise. This should be the plan for PSL Management to stage games accordingly, because such league based games require one team to be the home team for the venue the game is being played.

Points Table position - PSL

Points Table position of PSL after Conclusion of MSvQG

Situation at the points table is open for each and every team other than Multan Sultans which can further score maximum 16 points therefore they're already safe-and-secured for qualifying for eliminators, otherwise Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United both are on the verge of elimination from qualifying for the eliminators.

Chances for the teams which can take part in eliminators along with Multan

Karachi Kings

Three games remaining for them where they can score maximum 13 points but the chance is only when they win the remaining of the games, but even if they win at least 2 games which would enable them to gain 11 points but it is difficult ask as the last 3 games are tough games for Karachi Kings.

Lahore Qalandars

Two games remains for Lahore Qalandars therefore they can attain a maximum 10 points, but like as Karachi Kings prospects, they'd have to have maximum points in order to take part in the eliminator as their NRR is OK but their points gained off winning the games are the main problem. 

Peshawar Zalmi

Peshawar Zalmi can also take part in the eliminators because if they win their last game, they can score maximum 11 points and therefore chances are; these three teams according to me, are going to accompany Multan Sultans in the eliminators.

What about Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United

They'd have to play extraordinarily where they'd have to win the games which larger margin along with winning because their NRR is in negative means runs scored against them is larger-than their runs scored ratio, therefore just like qualifying scenario for Pakistan in 2019 CWC in their game against Bangladesh. Same is the scenario for the subjected teams where they would have to cover the deficit in their NRR i.e. Runs Scored divided the number of overs minus by Runs scored against divided by number of overs, therefore they'd have to score less overs and in against they'd not have to allow opponents to score much and that too in more overs than number of over required to score runs. Therefore scenario is very tough for Quetta and Islamabad but this is the beauty of PSL that we're on verge of eliminators but still we're unconfirmed which 3 of 4 teams would cement their position.

Qalandars on the fast lane

Why I am saying this?

I am saying this because the way Lahore was down and out, and Pakistan's social media was trolling them hard and was not giving them a chance to reconcile themselves, they came hard and not just hard but instead comprehensively hard.

Blessing in disguise

During the second part of the tournament, it is unexpectedly the Lahore team which is slowly and surely gaining the momentum, and in franchise-based-league, most of the time those teams perform well which are underdogs and which gains momentum during the course of the tournament.

Quetta

Quetta was  able to perform in the previous seasons of PSL because they were the underdogs and although they were performing, but literally they got into the radar when they won the PSL last year therefore this year teams are well prepared against them. Same is supposed to be the case with Lahore next year, in case they perform really well and storm into the eliminators with a comprehensive lead.

Lahore v Karachi at Karachi on March the 12th

Although Karachi is supposed to be performing really well against the visitors in their own den, but still looking into the recent upgrade into their recent performances, I am going to place my weight over the boys in green and they are going to start up as favourites to win this contest, although Karachi is surely going to exert performances, but till now Lahore is favourite to take on the contest... at least on the papers.

Position at the points table.

Karachi has slipped down to number 5 position whereas Lahore climbed to 3rd position that too because they are lower on the points with healthy NRR otherwise under the NRR filter, they are on the second number behind Multan Sultans which is high on both NRR and the points.

Karachi Kings being Qalandared

I'm actually laughing so hard at this! OMG 😂😂😂😂😂😂#KKvLQ pic.twitter.com/jCbdHSBEyd

— آم - کراچی (@AmnaKaSamnaa) March 8, 2020

https://twitter.com/faizanlakhani/status/1236693017085595649?s=19

Kieron Pollard out from HBL PSL 2020

Keiron Pollard out of HBL PSL, which is a blow as he was a continuous feature
of all previous editions.

The West Indies’ all-rounder Kieron Pollard has been ruled out of the Pakistan Super League 2020 even before he could join the Peshawar Zalmi squad.

Pollard led West Indies in their side’s two-match T20I series against Sri Lanka which they won 2-0. He was expected to fly for Pakistan soon after but complained of tightness in his right thigh. Fellow West Indian all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite will continue to play for Peshawar as Pollard’s replacement. Pollard has apologised to Zalmi fans for his absence but said that he is confident the team can hand Darren Sammy his first trophy as a head coach. Pollard had featured in all the previous three editions of the PSL. 

This has been one of the best innings Kieron Pollard featured in

This is something I would never forget because I remember I was wake up at 12 am in morning at Karachi just because it was Karachi-Lahore game and till last over I was sad that Karachi is going to lose but it was the matter of 3 balls where picture was turned on its head. Rest watch the video to understand the situation.

Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings - Crunch of a game awaits on Super-Sunday

Another Super-Sunday awaits at HBL PSL

Karachi v Lahore or Lahore v Karachi has just been hyped like India v Pakistan game wherever and whenever they are being played, therefore tomorrow is surely going to be a match-to-watch. 

Statistics

Overall statistics of both the teams in all seasons of HBL PSL

When it comes to head-to-head statistics, Karachi seems to have advantage but the fact is slowly Lahore is showing gradual improvement in their recent encounters against Karachi.

Hypothetically speaking

If Lahore Qalandars chase the target inside 10 overs mark, it's give them a head-start in HBL PSL group standings, although they are short on points but their NRR would be a crucial aspect in the deciding the qualifying teams for the Eliminators, which is definitely going to be something eveery franchise owner and its think-tank would be eying on definitely.

World Test Championship - Current scenarios for all the teams

Hypothetical scenarios of how teams could score maximum off their remaining test match game

Clash of two Qalandars' - Quetta and Lahore Qalandars

Today's the clash between two Qalandars in the contest, Quetta and Lahore where the last time where these two sides met, the fortune went towards the initial Qalandars i.e. the Lahore Qalandars but Quetta too not far behind.

Jokes apart

This game is literally a serious concern for both the teams because both teams are lying on the bottom of the table therefore both teams would want to have upper hand on each other.

Head-to-head

Both teams have played a total of 9 matches where the margin of difference between both teams' are of one game, i.e. Lahore with 4 games whereas Quetta with 5. Therefore incentive for both teams as Lahore would want an equalizer against Quetta whereas Quetta would want to have another win under their belt.

Pink Day at Gaddafi

7 March

PSL 2020 is holding a breast cancer awareness day to help Pink Ribbon in the fight against Breast Cancer. According to a press release, as a part of its initiative to create awareness about breast cancer, the players featuring in the double-header of the HBL Pakistan Super League on Saturday, 7 March, will don pink caps, which is something Pakistan should have had initiated earlier during the series with Bangladesh before start of PSL.

Happy birthday, the living legend from Multan

#OnThisDay 1970. Inzamam-ul-Haq was born in Multan. He represented Pakistan in 495 matches across all formats, hitting 20541 runs and 35 centuries, including a highest Test score of 329 #Cricket

Information about Inzamam ul Haq

Career Information

Test debut vs England at Edgbaston, Jun 04, 1992

Last Test vs South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium, Oct 08, 2007

ODI debut vs West Indies at Gaddafi Stadium, Nov 22, 1991

Last ODI vs Zimbabwe at Sabina Park, Mar 21, 2007

T20 debut vs England at County Ground, Aug 28, 2006

Last T20 vs England at County Ground, Aug 28, 2006 

 

Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators

IUvKK - The PSL Game conclusion

Points table position after conclusion of March 1st 2020 game between Islamabad United v Karachi.