Simon Evans’ Post

India's participation in the ICC Champions Trophy next year, slated to be held in Pakistan, remains uncertain. There's speculation that the event's venue might be relocated, or a hybrid model could be adopted. This potential development marks Pakistan's potential return to hosting a major international cricket tournament for the first time since the 1996 World Cup, with significant upgrades underway at major cricket venues across the country. Recently, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed openness to considering a bilateral series with India if India participates in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. However, India has once again dismissed talks of a bilateral series and indicated reluctance to send a team to Pakistan for the ICC event next year. A source commented, "Forget about a bilateral series... There's uncertainty whether Team India will even travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. There's discussion about a change in venue, and a hybrid model is also being considered." The source further highlighted that the Indian board would require government permission for such travel, considering the current state of relations between India and Pakistan. While the Champions Trophy is an ICC event, India's participation hinges on governmental approval. The prospect of a bilateral series seems remote, with prevailing circumstances suggesting it's highly unlikely in the near future. #india #trophy #champions #pakistan

The extraordinary growth of Cricket in Africa has been phenomenal to watch and our visit to Nigeria and Kenya last week was important to better understand how we can ignite further growth. Whether it is Namibia defeating Asia Cup Champions Sri Lanka at last year’s Men’s T20 World Cup; Rwanda knocking off multiple Full Members on their way to an incredible 8th-place finish at the U19 Women’s World Cup earlier this year; Africa winning all 6 of the awards on offer at this year’s ICC Development Awards; or cricket’s inclusion at next year’s Africa Games in Ghana - everywhere you look in Africa, the game is flourishing. In 2023, the ICC is investing USD5.5million in direct financial assistance to our Associate Members in Africa. Nigeria remains our fastest growing Member and there is an infectious energy for the game in Africa’s largest economy. On this visit we had the privilege of visiting Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom state which has the distinction of producing 5 of Nigeria’s current National Women’s team - including the captain - Blessing Etim. The opening of a new cricket facility at the Community Secondary Commercial School is the latest in the Nigeria Cricket Federation’s ambitions to have a network of competition and training facilities opened in each of Nigeria’s 36 states in order to make the game more accessible to local communities and thus achieve their ambitions of 1million participants a year by 2026. The NCF’s outstanding facility Development Plan has seen the creation of 7 turf pitch facilities in recent years and the country now regularly hosts international competitions including Cricket World Cup qualifiers. With a new Board and an new Executive team at Cricket Kenya, this proud cricket country is poised to return from a difficult few years to re-assert itself as a cricketing force and to re-establish cricket in the hearts and minds of this sports-loving country. It was wonderful to meet the new team and so many of Cricket Kenya’s stakeholders: provincial cricket bodies, government officials, sponsors and not-for-profit groups to discuss Cricket Kenya’s bold ambitions for the game. Nigeria and Kenya are just two examples of how the game is growing exponentially across Africa - there are 17 other Associate Members, as well as Zimbabwe and South Africa (which, as the Full Members are providing wonderful leadership to the region with access to technical expertise, high performance programs and competitions), all of whom are contributing to the extraordinary growth of the game in this very exciting region. Thanks to Cricket Kenya CEO Ronald Bukusi & Chair Manoj Patel; Nigeria Cricket Federation GM Emeka Igwilo & Chair Uyi Akpata (including the boards & executives of both Cricket Kenya and the NCF) and our Regional Manager for Africa Patricia C Kambarami for the effort that went into preparing such an informative visit for Rohit Poddar and I. A special thanks to Edward Khoza for lending his expertise & insights to our trip.

Is Jay Shah on the verge of becoming the greatest cricket administrator of all time? Let’s look at what he has done in the last few years: 1. Increased ICC Revenue Share: As Head of the ICC Financial Committee, Jay increased the percentage share of ICC revenue for: - Ireland: from 2.2% to 3% - Afghanistan: from 2.2% to 2.8% - Associates: from 9% to 11.2% 2. Cricket in Global Games: His leadership changed the BCCI’s stance on cricket in the Olympics, leading to: - ICC's proposal for LA2028 - Inclusion of cricket in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games 3. India's International Tours: Under his guidance, India has toured every Full Member nation in the FTP (except Pakistan), fostering international relations and competitive cricket. 4. Revival of ACC: Revived the ACC and its pathway events, providing opportunities for over 20 member nations through: - ACC Challenger Cup - Premier Cup - Emerging Asia Cup 5. Women's Cricket Advancements: - Start of the Women's Premier League (WPL) - Equal match fees for Indian teams - More series and 'A' games for the women’s team 6. Prize Money Equality: - Equal prize money for men's and women's ICC events - Increased prize money for Indian domestic tournaments - Record prize money of ₹125 crore for the World Cup Champions India 7. New National Cricket Academy (NCA): Establishment of a state-of-the-art NCA. Credit where it's due, Mr Shah. Your efforts are truly commendable. 👍

The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup is set to occur in a temporary stadium on the outskirts of New York. The International Cricket Council (ICC) and local organizing committees are in the process of finalizing the full schedule, which involves 10 teams playing their initial group-stage matches in the USA, co-hosted with the West Indies, aiming to engage the substantial cricket-loving expat communities in America. While the schedule may see some adjustments, England and Australia are expected to play all their group games in the Caribbean. England's matches, both in the initial five-team group and, if they progress, in the Super 8 round, will be held in popular British tourist destinations such as Antigua, Barbados, and St Lucia. Australia, on the other hand, is scheduled to play at various venues in St Vincent, Guyana, and Trinidad. Recent inspections by ICC officials found that Caribbean venues require some improvements and expansions, but there are no major issues. The likely location for the final is Barbados, a previous host of the 2007 50-over World Cup and the 2010 T20 event. #Info #InfoPakistan #BabarAzam #ViratKholi #T20worlcup

India And Pakistan Consolidate Top Positions In WTC 2023-25 Standings After England ... India and Pakistan have been benefitted by the sanctions that ICC put on England and Australian cricket teams for slow over-rates during Ashes. More Info. India And Pakistan Consolidate Top Positions In WTC 2023-25 Standings After England, Australia Docked Crucial Points; Check Table Here https://lnkd.in/dw4cxEXv #geopolitics#TheAsiaHawk

Most likely, it appears to be an India vs. South Africa final in the tournament. India has been excelling in their chase, having won all five matches. South Africa, on the other hand, is setting the target by batting first and managing to score over 350, firing on all cylinders.   The upcoming league game match promises to be intriguing as it remains to be seen who makes the first move. Chasing has been a challenge in this tournament, with the exception of Afghanistan's cool and calm chase against Pakistan, which was truly remarkable. However, the traditional approach of batting first and putting the opposition on the back foot has been the key to winning matches.   It will be fascinating to observe if India can successfully chase a 350+ target, especially against strong teams like England and South Africa. While India heavily relies on the partnership of Virat and Rahul to steer them to victory, they currently appear formidable.   The other two likely semifinalists are New Zealand and Australia.   If India makes it to the final on 19-Nov-23, an exciting Super Sunday awaits, with a Las Vegas F1 race followed by the CWC Final, assuming India reaches that stage.

As the T20 World Cup concluded yesterday and our cricket crazy nation celebrated this long-awaited win, I reflect on the interesting aspects of this tournament such as newer teams like Afghanistan and USA punching above their weight. But the story which intrigued me the most is the cricketing progress of a small island nation in the southwestern Pacific, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Post the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, a joint project was set up by Cricket Australia (CA), New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and ICC to build cricket infrastructure and boost participation in cricket in the region. A total of $400K (CA-$200K, NZC-$100K and ICC-$100K) was granted to PNG which led to 48 cricket facilities getting built in PNG over the next 2 years (earlier PNG only had 1 cricket facility). Currently, PNG has over 190K individuals involved in cricket and cricket PNG has the vision to make cricket PNG’s favorite family sport. The results are for us to see with PNG qualifying for the T20 WC24 in less than a decade of the project being setup. The PacificAus Sports Program is a sports diplomacy initiative involving other sports such as rugby, football, netball etc. The program also allows PNG cricket teams to play various cricket competitions in Australia and vice-versa. This program also operates in Tonga, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Samoa. While the support from ICC and NZC is primarily from the perspective of development of cricket. The involvement of Australia is a prime example of diplomacy via sports. PNG holds strategic importance of Australia in terms of alternate trade routes, security and economic development in the region. The partnership from Australia extends beyond sports to include education, internal security, law, justice, industrial training in PNG. The approach adopted by Australia is a wonderful example of the different levers which can be leveraged in a diplomatic tie-up between the countries. What started as an effort to promote cricket in the region has now taken a shape of full-fledged diplomatic tie-up between two countries and increasing Australia’s clout but only in PNG but in the entire region. As an avid cricket observer, will be fascinated to see how cricket develops further in the region and looking forward to seeing more teams coming out of the region to global cricket events.       #cricket; #diplomacy; #sports;

Pakistan is hosting the ACC Asia Cup 2023, but most of the games are in Sri Lanka. India is also playing all their matches in Sri Lanka because of their involvement. The Asia Cup faced controversies over the host and India’s participation, but it was decided that India would play in Sri Lanka. The PCB invited the BCCI to a Gala Dinner for ACC members, and BCCI President Roger Binny and Vice President Rajiv Shukla came to Pakistan for the event. This is a big step as it’s the first time in a long time that Indian cricket people have visited Pakistan. It gives hope that cricket fans may see India and Pakistan play in both countries in the future. The Gala Dinner had board delegations from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and the teams and support staff. The Asia Cup will move to the Super 4s stage, with the first Super 4s match in Lahore. The rest of the matches, including the final, will be in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pakistan has made it to the Super 4s, while India’s spot depends on their match against Nepal. The teams from Group B will be decided after Sri Lanka and Afghanistan play tomorrow. #acc #accasiacup #accasiacup #currentaffair #currentaffairs #CurrentAffairsMCQs #currentaffairs2023 #currentaffairsquiz #currentaffairschallenge #currentaffairsupdates #CurrentNews #currentnews #currentnewsupdate #currentnewsreport #pakistan #pakistani #pakistantimes #pakistantime #pakistantimes