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Top cricket teams scheduled to tour Pakistan as PCB announces 2024-25 home season

Top cricket teams scheduled to tour Pakistan as PCB announces 2024-25 home season
In this file photograph, taken on June 9, 2024, cricket fans react after a dismissal as they watch a live telecast at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. (AFP/File)
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Updated 05 July 2024
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Top cricket teams scheduled to tour Pakistan as PCB announces 2024-25 home season

Top cricket teams scheduled to tour Pakistan as PCB announces 2024-25 home season
  • From August 2024 to March 2025, the Pakistan men’s cricket team will play nine Tests, nine T20Is and at least 14 ODIs
  • Tests against Bangladesh, England, South Africa and West Indies will be part of ICC World Test Championship 2023-25
Updated 05 July 2024
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced details of men’s 2024-25 home international cricket season, with the national side set to compete in three Test series and participate in the first ODI tri-series in 21 years in the lead up to the eight-team ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on home turf.
In the curtain-raiser series of the 2024-25 home international season, Bangladesh will play two Tests in Rawalpindi (August 21-25) and Karachi (August 30-September 3), while Pakistan will host England for three Tests in Multan (October 7-11), Karachi (October 15-19) and Rawalpindi (October 24-28).
The West Indies will visit for two Tests in Karachi (16-20 January) and Multan (24-28 January). Additionally, New Zealand and South Africa will participate in an ODI tri-series in Multan on February 8-14. The international season will culminate with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, proposed for March 9.
Bangladesh last played a Test in Pakistan in February 2020, while England swept the three-Test series in December 2022. The 2025 series will also mark the West Indies’ first Test tour to Pakistan since November 2006 when Brian Lara captained the side against Inzamam-ul-Haq’s men. Pakistan last hosted the West Indies for a Test series in October 2016 in the United Arab Emirates.
“It was critically important for us to finalize, lock and announce our 2024-25 home international cricket season now. This ensures that both the men’s cricket team managements and the PCB event staff have sufficient time to prepare, plan and deliver these series to our very high expectations and standards, showcasing Pakistan as an outstanding cricket nation and the PCB as a thoroughly professional organization,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement.
“These series are a vital part of our strategy to strengthen Pakistan’s position in international cricket and ensure long-term sustainability for the sport in our country. The visits by five top cricket playing nations in the lead-up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, followed by seven countries participating in the event proper over the next eight months, also highlight Pakistan’s standing and stature in international cricket. We deeply value the participation of these teams and players, who will bring immense talent and competitive spirit to our fields.”
Apart from the home international fixtures, the men’s team will tour Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa from November 4 to January 7, playing two Tests, nine ODIs and nine T20Is.
From August 2024 to March 2025, the Pakistan men’s cricket team will play nine Tests, nine T20Is and at least 14 ODIs. The number of ODIs may increase based on their performance in the ODI tri-series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, according to the PCB.
The Tests against Bangladesh, England, South Africa and the West Indies will be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. Pakistan has so far played five Tests in two series against Sri Lanka and Australia, winning two and losing three. This has placed them in fifth position on the points table with 22 points. India leads the table with 74 points after three series, followed by Australia (90 points from four series), New Zealand (36 points from three series), and Sri Lanka (24 points from two series).
With each of the top nine Test-playing nations scheduled to play six series (three home and three away) in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, strong performances in the upcoming four series could put Pakistan in contention for a place in the final, scheduled for Lord’s in June 2025.

Topics: Pakistan cricket

Lahore Biennale returns after 4-year hiatus featuring works of 60 local, international artists 

Lahore Biennale returns after 4-year hiatus featuring works of 60 local, international artists 
Updated 30 sec ago
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Lahore Biennale returns after 4-year hiatus featuring works of 60 local, international artists 

Lahore Biennale returns after 4-year hiatus featuring works of 60 local, international artists 
  • Biennale’s third edition will be held from Oct. 6-Nov. 8 at historic Lahore Fort
  • Artists from over 30 countries collaborate with Pakistani peers for the exhibition
Updated 30 sec ago
Haseeb Asif

LAHORE: The Lahore Biennale is set to return after a four-year hiatus today, Sunday, at the city’s historic Lahore Fort with a grand spectacle featuring the works of at least 60 local and international artists revolving around the themes of ecologies and sustainable futures. 

The theme for the third edition of the biennale is titled: ‘Of Mountains and Seas.’ It showcases the convergence of art, environmental awareness, and global collaboration to help imagine alternative futures, the biennale said on its official website. 

The exhibition, which will showcase the art of around 60 artists from 30 countries, is expected to run till Nov. 8. Ahead of the spectacle on Sunday, the Pakistan Art Forum joined hands with the Lahore Biennale Foundation for a curtain-raiser event on Thursday titled: ‘Decolonial Feminist Ecologies: On Body and Land.’

The curtain-raiser featured performances by its curator and local artist Abdullah Qureshi, Iranian-born artist Sepideh Rahaa and Kenyan-German collaborative artist Syowia Kyambi. The curtain-raiser was held at the Brown House in Lahore, overlooking the historic Shahi Hamaam bathhouse and the iconic Wazir Khan Mosque. 

“We wanted to showcase our art in a bustling public space, not art as gate-kept by colonial legacies or their bureaucracies,” Abdullah Qureshi told Arab News on Thursday. 

Qureshi is also a multidisciplinary artist, educator and filmmaker. He roped in Rahaa and Kyambi, his friends and fellow artists, from Iran and Kenya respectively for the biennale. 

“We tend to think of art as this controlled, quiet space where people are observers from a distance,” Qureshi explained. 

“[The three of us wanted to] think about these ideas outside the Western canon.” 

Kyambi’s art exhibited two distinct worlds, the high-rises and apartment complexes to the rural countrysides. The Nairobi-based artist handed out maps and pictures to her audience, shared stories and painted bright colors on a mud wall. 

“[Art] can’t be constricted to a neat and tidy studio or a clean canvas,” she said. “Art is forever moving, changing and clamoring.”

Kyambi encouraged her audience to speak out during her performance and voice their opinion on whether they liked it or disliked it, and whether they understood her art or not. 

“We want to imagine futures of solidarity, community and resistance,” she told Arab News. “Not just stay quiet at everything unfolding in front of them.”

Rahaa, the Iranian-Finnish artist, focused on feminizing labor by showcasing a short documentary on women working in Punjab’s rice fields.

“I am building up ancestral knowledge, indigenous knowledge [related to Pakistan] as well as ancient ways of cultivation of rice,” Rahaa told Arab News. 

She was particularly taken by women farmers singing as they toiled the rice fields.

“These women are cultivating the same their grandmothers would have, singing the same songs,” she said. “As artists, this is important for us to record.”

The event was sponsored by the Norwegian Embassy and Kone Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Helsinki, Finland.

“The themes of [this] exhibition are sort of very much ones we identify with,” Per Albert Ilsaas, Norway’s ambassador to Pakistan, told Arab News. “Feminist ideals, human rights, rights of women, and marginalized communities are important to Norway.”

Pakistan Art Forum founder Imtisal Zafar said he wanted to promote lesser-known local artists by arranging their collaboration with international ones. 

“Show the world how much talent we have here,” he told Arab News. 

Topics: Lahore Biennale

England target repeat of Pakistan Test whitewash 

England target repeat of Pakistan Test whitewash 
Updated 26 min 39 sec ago
AFP
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England target repeat of Pakistan Test whitewash 

England target repeat of Pakistan Test whitewash 
  • England face a Pakistan team at a low ebb that was beaten 2-0 by Bangladesh
  • Ben Stokes’ side last month wrapped up 2-1 series victory against Sri Lanka
Updated 26 min 39 sec ago
AFP

LONDON: Ben Stokes’ England take on Pakistan in a three-Test series starting on Monday, buoyed by memories of an astonishing 3-0 series sweep in 2022.
England, third in the world rankings after winning five of their past six Tests, are facing a Pakistan team at a low ebb after being crushed by Bangladesh.
AFP Sport looks at some of the key talking points for the tourists ahead of the series, which starts in Multan.

England last month wrapped up a 2-1 series victory against Sri Lanka without skipper Ben Stokes, but he remains the team’s undisputed leader and talisman.
The 33-year-old all-rounder misses the first Test after failing to recover from a torn hamstring and it remains to be seen whether he will bowl when he does return.
The inclusion of Stokes as a specialist batsman would alter the balance of the side England favored in the recent Sri Lanka series, where they played five frontline bowlers.
The visitors could opt to replace one of their regular top order with the skipper but it is more likely they would play four specialist bowlers and rely on Joe Root’s off-spin to supplement the attack.
Stokes has not played for two months but he showed his worth against the West Indies, scoring three fifties in his last four innings of the series.

England’s tour of Pakistan in 2022 came in the first few heady months of the “Bazball” era — a method of all-out attack encouraged by Brendon McCullum, who had become coach earlier that year.
The visitors set the tone for the series on the first day in Rawalpindi, smashing a remarkable 506-4, with four men making centuries.
After England’s 4-1 series loss in India earlier this year, McCullum spoke about the need to “refine” their style and a less gung-ho approach of controlled aggression has paid dividends.
England demolished the West Indies 3-0 before beating Sri Lanka 2-1 on home soil.
“I think the style will work in Pakistan, for sure,” retired England bowling great Stuart Broad said ahead of the launch of Inside Lord’s, Marylebone Cricket Club’s new digital platform.
“It was a great tour to Pakistan in 2022. All the players really enjoyed it and ultimately, England’s batting group are wonderful players of spin.
“I think they’re really positive and aggressive, they can find the boundary and don’t get tied down by spin.
“England will have to play fast-paced cricket to force results over there because you generally do need five days to make something happen.”

The era of Broad and James Anderson is over for England, who are trying to build a new pace attack that can take the fight to India and Australia next year.
Chris Woakes is the senior paceman and enjoyed a superb summer at home but his figures in overseas Tests are poor, while express bowler Mark Wood is out of action.
Surrey seamer Gus Atkinson has enjoyed a remarkable start to his Test career, taking 34 wickets in his first six games.
But he, Matthew Potts and Olly Stone have just 19 caps between them and Brydon Carse will make his debut in Multan.
Aside from left-armer Jack Leach, who is back in the fold after being deemed surplus to requirements during the English season, the spin attack is also inexperienced.
Leach’s Somerset team-mate Shoaib Bashir has played just nine Tests while Rehan Ahmed has not featured since the India series, having made his debut in England’s memorable 2022 series win in Pakistan.
Broad warns that inexperience could cost the visitors.
“It’s very difficult to go into a Test match, particularly when Ben Stokes isn’t playing or not bowling with three very inexperienced bowlers because if it goes wrong and the spinner’s inexperienced you could lose a Test match in an hour,” he said.

Topics: Pakistan cricket

UK to establish 280 skill centers to help Pakistanis find jobs in Middle East

UK to establish 280 skill centers to help Pakistanis find jobs in Middle East
Updated 06 October 2024
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UK to establish 280 skill centers to help Pakistanis find jobs in Middle East

UK to establish 280 skill centers to help Pakistanis find jobs in Middle East
  • Workforce export has long been a significant contributor to Pakistan’s economy, with its reliance on remittances
  • The visiting British delegation says it wants to promote education cooperation with Pakistan to empower youth
Updated 06 October 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom plans to set up 280 skill centers in Pakistan focusing on technical and vocational training, reported state-owned media on Saturday, adding the project will be carried out in collaboration with Middle Eastern institutions to train individuals aspiring for jobs in places like the Gulf region.
Workforce export has long been a significant contributor to Pakistan’s economy, with the country heavily reliant on remittances sent by workers employed abroad, particularly in the Middle East. However, in recent years, Pakistani workers have faced challenges due to more exacting requirements of international job markets, making the training and upskilling of nationals a government priority.
The establishment of the skill centers became a focal point of discussions as a British delegation arrived in the country on a two-day visit and met with Pakistani officials working in the field of conventional and technical education.
“The delegation representatives said that around 280 skills centers will be established in Pakistan,” said the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency. “The candidates who successfully complete the training in these centers, they will be given a joint certificate by Pakistani, UK and Gulf universities.”
The report added that 80,000 jobs will be given to the successful candidates graduating from these skill centers in the first phase.
“These jobs would be offered in different Gulf countries, including [places like] Dubai, in the security, hospitality, construction, veterinary, nursing and police,” it said.
Pakistan’s Federal Secretary Education Mohiyuddin Wani and Chairperson of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission Gulmina Bilal highlighted the government’s priority to provide quality training to its nationals to give their best on any job around the world.
The delegation, which includes members of Britain’s House of Lords, said they were committed to promoting educational cooperation with Pakistan to empower its youth.
It will also visit Karachi to hold a meeting with Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

Topics: vocational skills National Vocational and Technical Training Commission

Women’s T20 World Cup: Arch-rivals India, Pakistan lock horns in Dubai today 

Women’s T20 World Cup: Arch-rivals India, Pakistan lock horns in Dubai today 
Updated 06 October 2024
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Women’s T20 World Cup: Arch-rivals India, Pakistan lock horns in Dubai today 

Women’s T20 World Cup: Arch-rivals India, Pakistan lock horns in Dubai today 
  • Pakistan won their opening match against Sri Lanka by 31 runs on Thursday 
  • Skipper Fatima Sana says Pakistan will try to continue momentum against India 
Updated 06 October 2024
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: All eyes will be on Dubai today, Sunday, as arch-rivals India and Pakistan gear up to lock horns in a key match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. 

Pakistan made an impressive start to their World Cup campaign, defeating fellow Asian giants Sri Lanka by 31 runs on Thursday. India, on the other hand, did not do so well against New Zealand. The blue shirts lost their first match of the tournament by 58 runs on Friday. 

Group A comprises of Pakistan, India, Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka while Group B consists of England, South Africa, Bangladesh, West Indies and Scotland. 

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana said her team would be looking to carry forward their momentum against India when the two teams meet on Sunday. 

“The one who plays well, wins the match on the day,” Sana said. “So, we will try to carry the momentum that we have gained from here.”

Meanwhile, Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues said the team knows every game is crucial for them. 

“But at the same time, we’re going to go one game at a time and just make sure we stick to our process and do our job well,” she said. 

“And I think if we can do that, I think if we play our best cricket, I think we can win matches.”

The match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.

SQUADS:

Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan. Traveling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wk). Non-traveling reserves: Rameen Shamim, Umm-e-Hani

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia (subject to fitness), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness), Sajana Sajeevan. Traveling reserves: Uma Chetry (wk), Tanuja Kanwer, Saima Thakor. Non-Traveling reserves: Raghvi Bist, Priya Mishra

Topics: Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

IED blast kills three paramilitary soldiers in southwestern Pakistan

IED blast kills three paramilitary soldiers in southwestern Pakistan
Updated 6 min 40 sec ago
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IED blast kills three paramilitary soldiers in southwestern Pakistan

IED blast kills three paramilitary soldiers in southwestern Pakistan
  • Frontier Corps vehicle was targeted by IED blast as it was passing through Askalko area in Kalat district, says official 
  • No group has claimed responsibility for attack but suspicion is likely to fall on outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army 
Updated 6 min 40 sec ago
SAADULLAH AKHTER

QUETTA: Three paramilitary soldiers were killed and four were injured in Pakistan’s southwestern Kalat district on Saturday when their vehicle was targeted by an improvised explosive device, an official confirmed. 

The blast targeted a Frontier Corps (FC) vehicle in the Askalko area in Kalat, located around 140 kilometers from Balochistan’s provincial capital of Quetta. The blast took place as the vehicle was passing through the area, an official confirmed. 

Balochistan, which shares a porous border with Iran and Afghanistan, has witnessed a decades-long insurgency launched by ethnic Baloch separatists who have accused successive governments of unfairly exploiting the mineral-rich province of its resources, a claim denied by the state.
“An improvised explosive device (IED) was planted along the road in Askalko which exploded when the security forces’ vehicle was passing through the area,” Bilal Shabir, the deputy commissioner of Kalat, told Arab News.

“Three paramilitary soldiers were killed and four wounded in the attack on security forces in Kalat district.”

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, however, suspicion is likely to fall on the separatist militant outfit Balochistan Liberation Army. The BLA has often targeted Pakistani security forces, ethnic Punjabi laborers and travelers in the southwestern province. 

In recent months, separatist outfits have stepped up attacks in Balochistan. Over 50 people including paramilitary soldiers were killed in widespread coordinated attacks by a Baloch separatist group in Kalat, Lasbela, Musakhail, Mastung and Kachi districts in the last week of August. 

In September, unidentified armed men stormed a residential compound in Balochistan’s Turbat, killing seven laborers from Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province. 

Topics: IED blast

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